Press Release from Senator Tom Jensen Regarding Meth

FRANKFORT – Yesterday, January 12, the Senate and House held a joint meeting to consider options for curbing the production of methamphetamine in Kentucky and stopping the proliferation of methamphetamine laborites and their impact on communities.

Senator Tom Jensen (R-London), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, invited several experts to discuss the drowning problem of meth production and possible solutions to reduce the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine.

The regulation of pseudoephedrine (PSE), a necessary component in the manufacturing of meth, and the issues surrounding this drug has sparked an extensive debate. The purpose of this joint meeting was to explore possible solutions and educate legislators about an epidemic that is crippling Kentucky.

R. Darrell Weaver, Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, delivered a compelling presentation on restricting access to PSE by means of making it by prescription only. “You must decide if we want to be in the business of tracking meth labs or eliminating meth labs,” stated Mr. Weaver. “Law enforcement will use the tools given by policymakers, but simply tracking Sudafed transactions will not stop meth labs.” Currently, Oklahoma utilizes real-time tracking and created a meth offender registry, but Mr. Weaver testified that these efforts alone are not enough.

In Mississippi, their legislature took measures in 2010 to make PSE prescription only and they have seen a dramatic drop in meth laboratories. Marshall Fisher, Mississippi’s Bureau of Narcotics director, testified since his state has established prescription requirements for PSE in mid-2010, there has been a 67 percent decrease in the number of meth labs found in the state.

Reports from the Kentucky State Police reflect a rise in numbers of meth labs in 2011, with 1,152 reported as of January 4, but that number is expected to increase once final information from local law enforcement has been submitted. Final tally of labs will likely be confirmed by mid-February.

In 2010, 1,080 meth labs were reported statewide with 122 discovered in Senate District 21 (Estill, Jackson, Laurel, Menifee, & Powell counties).

Senator Jensen has introduced a bill exempting gel-cap drugs containing PSE, making it available over-the-counter, because it is more difficult for meth producers to use them than tablet forms and offers an alternative to cold and allergy medicine consumers. A similar bill has been proposed in the House.

Currently, there was been a consistent trend after federal regulations and Kentucky’s electronic tracking systems have been put into place. Drug-related arrests, admissions to substance abuse facilities, and hospitalization related to meth have been on the rise.

“This is costing the state significant amount of money and we must do something about it,” Jensen said. “We see a trend in south and central Kentucky, however, this is a Kentucky problem. My hope of curing the Commonwealth of this horrific addiction and its extensive wrath on Kentucky families and communities is why I feel so strongly about this matter.”

The General Assembly will receive many proposals from many sources who will offer solutions to reduce crime involving meth. Everything from the elimination of meth labs, “smurfing,” and usage of meth will be accounted, along with how to monitor illegal uses of pseudoephedrine. Ultimately, the goal needs to be demand reduction by means of education. Only this measure will ensure long-term success of riddance of drug abuse.

Next week, the committee looks forward to hearing further testimony on the matter and hope to have a course of action in the upcoming weeks.

Messages can be left toll-free by dialing 1-800-372-7181 or TTY 1-800-896-0305. You can also find us on the World Wide Web at www.lrc.state.ky.us.

Download the Press Release in PDF Format Here