http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060619/ap_on_go_ot/fighting_meth_2Meth lab seizures drop in 2005
By SAM HANANEL, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jun 19, 1:23 PM ET
WASHINGTON - Police seizures of illegal meth labs dropped more than 30 percent last year, the Bush administration said Monday, as more states and drugstore chains began limiting access to ingredients used to make the highly addictive drug.
Also Monday, the nation's largest drug testing company said the number of job applicants and workers who test positive for meth plunged 31 percent over the first five months of this year.
White House drug czar John Walters said the two reports are evidence that the "one-two punch" to restrict chemicals and educate the public about the horrors of meth addiction are finally paying off.
"What this information shows is, on supply and demand, we are making a dramatic difference," said Walters, head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
But some federal lawmakers give most of the credit to state and local governments, saying the decline in meth abuse has come despite the absence of national direction.
Rep. Mark Souder (news, bio, voting record), chairman of the House drug policy subcommittee, said the administration has refused to make combatting meth a priority. He criticized a White House budget proposal to slash federal spending for state and local law enforcement to fight meth.
"Efforts to continue to downplay the threat, after working to cut funding for anti-meth efforts, are only making those who fight the meth epidemic daily more angry at this administration," said Souder, R-Ind.I know that it was our STATE government that put limits on the purchase of Pseudoephedrine products, moving the items behind the counter. This is a similiar policy found in many states across the country and was passed by STATE & LOCAL governments - not anyone from the Bush Regime
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