Articles Contained in SIRS Enduring Issues 2006.

Originally Published: America's Most Dangerous Drug, Aug. 8, 2005; pp. 40-48.

"More than 12 million Americans have tried methamphetamine, and 1.5 million are regular users, according to federal estimates. Meth-making operations have been uncovered in all 50 states; Missouri tops the list, with more than 8,000 labs, equipment caches and toxic dumps seized between 2002 and 2004. Cops nationwide rank methamphetamine the No. 1 drug they battle today: in a survey of 500 law-enforcement agencies in 45 states released last month [July 2005] by the National Association of Counties, 58 percent said meth is their biggest drug problem, compared with only 19 percent for cocaine, 17 percent for pot and 3 percent for heroin. Meth addicts are pouring into prisons and recovery centers at an ever-increasing rate, and a new generation of 'meth babies' is choking the foster-care system in many states. One measure of the drug's reach: Target, Wal-Mart, Rite-Aid and other retailers have moved nonprescription cold pills behind the pharmacy counter, where meth cooks have a harder time getting at them." (NEWSWEEK) This article discusses "how meth quietly marched across the country and up the socioeconomic ladder--and the wreckage it leaves in its wake," and addresses the question "are the Feds doing all they can to contain this epidemic?"

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