The O'Malley-Brown 7-Point Plan to Address Methamphetamine Use
Because of weak laws in Maryland, drug dealers have recently started coming to the state to buy the precursors used in meth production – ingredients commonly available in over the counter non-prescription drugs such as pseudoephedrine and ephedrine.
According to the Washington Post, the number of methamphetamine labs and addicts in the Washington area has jumped in recent years, but law enforcement and public health officials say the region is still woefully unprepared to deal with a problem that remains under the radar. The Baltimore Sun reported today that so far this year, methamphetamine labs have been discovered by authorities in Montgomery County and Garrett County and in 2005, nine labs were discovered in Carroll, Anne Arundel, Charles, Harford, Cecil and Caroline Counties.
The O’Malley-Brown 7-point plan to combat this emerging threat before it takes over Maryland’s communities will give local law enforcement officials the tools they need to combat the meth trade and protect our families.
The 7-point plan includes:
- Moving precursors behind the counter: O’Malley and Brown will set up a statewide system that encourages pharmacies to keep methamphetamine precursors behind pharmacy counters and be distributed by pharmacy personnel. This measure will help bridge the gap with federal law. The program will also use video training for employees and help facilitate communication between pharmacies and local law enforcement to report suspicious activities.
- Prohibiting the purchase of mass quantities of precursors: O’Malley and Brown will support legislation that would prohibit the mass purchases of precursor drugs that are clearly to be used for the manufacture of meth.
- Giving law enforcement the ability to track sales trends: O’Malley and Brown will deploy early warning systems so law enforcement officers can use database sales to identify areas where spikes in sales could point toward a developing or existing meth lab.
- Providing law enforcement with additional training: O’Malley and Brown will provide additional training for local law enforcement that allows them to identify clandestine drug labs and meth on the street. Currently, local law enforcement is forced to rely on DEA training, but there is long waiting list to get access to the program.
- Bringing law enforcement and schools together: O’Malley and Brown will help law enforcement partner with local schools to educate children, teachers and parents about the dangers of meth use. He will launch a statewide education campaign in schools, youth centers, shopping malls, churches, drug stores, and via state and county email messages to residents. The more parents know what to look for, the better prepared they are to protect their children.
- Empower citizens to make a difference: O’Malley and Brown will establish a statewide, 1-800 meth hotline where citizens can obtain information regarding treatment and/or make anonymous tips regarding the existence of meth labs, or sale or use of meth in their communities.
- Rebuild families torn apart by meth addiction. O’Malley and Brown will work to increase funding for drug treatment to help rebuild families and lives torn apart by the scourge of meth abuse.
