Make Meth History
A "Rush" To Ruin | Play Defense | Go on Offense | Ask for Help
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Here are the steps being taken in Arkansas and across the country to fight meth use and addiction:
- Fighting Meth in Arkansas: A state law passed in 2005 put pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters, cutting meth lab seizures by more than half. This year, Gov. Mike Beebe signed into law a bill sponsored by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to establish a statewide pharmacy database aimed at rooting out meth cooks who go from drug store to drug store stocking up on cold medicine. This statewide database will build upon ongoing efforts in some Arkansas cities and counties that provide for electronic monitoring of pseudoephedrine purchases.
- Prevention: Families, schools, churches and businesses are educating themselves about the dangers of meth. Parents and teachers are making sure their kids and students know the risks. Churches are getting involved in community forums. Businesses are evaluating drug-testing programs.
- Enforcement: The federal Drug Enforcement Agency trains local and state police to spot and safely seize meth labs, and assists with the clean-up costs, too.
- Follow-Up: Jail time isn’t enough. Addicts need drug treatment. States are providing alternative sentencing for non-violent offenders, including drug courts and other programs that work to restore users to their family.