Report: Meth Lab incidents decrease in state

In 2005, this number was 12,500 GÇô a decline of more than 30%. According to the report, while 2006 numbers are not yet final, early 2006 data suggests that the decline is continuing at about the same pace. The report credits the decline to the enactment of various State laws, starting with Oklahoma in April 2004, implementing restrictions on transactions involving products containing certain chemicals (primarily, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine) that can be used to make methamphetamine. By early 2006, more than 40 States had implemented some type of new restriction on retail transactions involving these products. In September 2006, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA) went into effect, setting a nationwide standard for how to legally sell these products, which include some popular over-the-counter cold medications. Arkansas` methamphetamine precursor law went into effect March 20, 2005. Arkansas`s legislation is stricter than the CMEA. Arkansas limits the sales of products containing pseudoephedrine to pharmacies, and products must be kept behind the pharmacy counter. Arkansas also has an identification and logbook requirement. Meth lab incidents declined 48% after the law was implemented, with 364 incidents reported to DEA from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006, compared to 706 incidents in the same period one year earlier. (Copyright 2006 Newsroom Solutions, LLC) Delivered by Newsroom Solutions/Regional News Service