Fighting meth in Missouri

In 2000, Missouri was a haven for meth, likely the top producing state in the country. Drug production and related incidents were on the increase. Flash forward to 2008. Missouri has made huge strides in our state's fight against meth, in large part due to the Missouri Sheriffs Meth-Amphetamine Relief Team -- also known as MOSMART. Meth-related incidents have declined more than 40 percent and anti-meth legislation has successfully reduced meth production in Missouri.

These accomplishments were threatened when Missouri faced a struggle for funding the MOSMART program. Since 2000, federal funding has supported MOSMART efforts including personnel, training, equipment, prevention and public awareness. However, the federal government failed to approve the money to reauthorize the program this year.

This week, the state has responded to the need, and we took the first step to ensure this essential program will continue. The House approved a supplemental appropriation of $1.8 million for MOSMART. The funding will ensure the continued employment of 48 sheriff's offices and drug task force employees around the state involved in Missouri's fight against meth.

We also remain optimistic that Congress will approve money in October to cover equipment, training, prevention and other efforts. We hope Congress will reconsider and realize the importance this funding has on meth prevention here in Missouri as well as in surrounding states.

Additionally, the legislature will continue to do what we can to crack down on the meth epidemic. In 2005, we passed legislation to limit access to the materials used to make meth. The law restricts the sales of products containing the ingredients used to make meth -- pseudoephedrine and ephedrine -- and relocates them behind pharmacy counters. Under the new law, individuals are also required to show photo identification before purchasing products containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine and have monthly limits for how much of the products they can purchase. To further enable our law enforcement officers, pharmacies are required to maintain purchase logs and make them available for inspection.

The MOSMART program has put a dent in meth production and use across the state. Meth incidents, which include chemical, equipment and glassware seizures, and dumpsites, have declined more than 40 percent since 2000. The legislation we passed in 2005 has proven effective in impairing the ability of Missourians to produce meth. In 2005, there were 2,252 incidents. During 2006, this number was nearly half -- law enforcement officials responded to, seized or investigated 1,284 laboratory incidents.

But there is still work to be done. One essential component to Missouri's future in this battle is the MOSMART program. The officers on the front lines have the greatest impact on finding and stopping meth production. Because of the importance of this program, approval for the necessary funding was one of the first budget items passed by the full House of Representatives this legislative session.

Meth is one of the most addictive and destructive drugs, and threatens all families, businesses and our environment. Now is not the time to end funding, as the federal government has done.

Now is the time to continue enabling our law enforcement and continue our prevention efforts so Missouri can move further toward a future where meth incidents are few and far between.

Contact Fisher at the Capitol at (573) 751-5388, by e-mail at mailto:barney.fisher@house.mo.gov, or by mail at Room 408B, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO. 65101.