Crystal Meth
Crystal Meth is one of the nations fastest growing drugs of
abuse and now more than a million Americans are addicted to the
highly debilitating substance. Due to the increased prevalence
throughout the U.S., meth use and manufacturing has drawn the
attention of state and national legislators.
Oklahoma recently passed a law that requires pseudo
ephedrine to be sold behind the counter at pharmacies where
each consumer must sign for the sale of medications containing
the chemical.
Pseudoephedrine is one of the main ingredients in making
Crystal Meth. According to state officials, meth lab busts have
been reportedly down by nearly 80% over the last year.
This success in curbing the sale of products containing the
ingredient and the reduction in meth labs found has other
states seeking similar action. On a national level, there is
the introduction of the Combat Meth Act, which has co-sponsors
from Senators and Representatives from around the country.
According to the Mothers Against Meth website Retailers and
drug companies oppose this measure and are lobbying against it.
They claim that the costs associated with restricting the
availability of the vast numbers of products containing
[pseudoephedrine is excessive and constitutes a burden on their
industry.” However, with the federal grants more money can be
saved by preventing the production and use of Crystal Meth and
its associated costs to society. Meth addiction treatment can be very costly,
running into hundreds of pounds a day in fees.
An alarming number of the individuals that have been
arrested and convicted for meth manufacturing and distribution
are repeat offenders. Equally disturbing is the high recidivism
rate of meth addicts seeking recovery.
Drug rehabilitation programs in general are having a
difficult time in effectively dealing with Crystal Meth
addiction. An HBO documentary a couple years ago reported that
only 3% of meth addicts regain control of their lives again
through traditional treatment practices.
There are alternative solutions available though, such as an
organization called Narconon Arrowhead, which is one if the
nations largest and most successful drug rehabilitation and
education programs and is continually gaining more attention
and support for its effectiveness in helping individuals
addicted to Crystal Meth and other substances. Narconon
attributes its success to the organizations use of the
drug-free rehabilitation technology researched and developed by
American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard.
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