Meth Epidemic Solutions
![handle is hein.journals/nordak82 and id is 1203 raw text is: METH EPIDEMIC SOLUTIONS
Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead
ROB BOVETr
I. INTRODUCTION
An epidemic of methamphetamine abuse and addiction has swept
across our nation and the world.] Its wake has destroyed families, devas-
tated communities, caused property crimes to surge, and caused severe
neglect of children. Tragically, the meth epidemic is unnecessary.
In 1976, the key ingredient necessary to make the most potent form of
meth was approved by the federal government for over-the-counter sale.
Over the course of the next thirty years, in eerie ten-year segments, the
government repeatedly bowed to pressure from the pharmaceutical industry,
choosing corporate profits over public health and safety. However, recent
efforts have begun to turn the tide and bring the meth epidemic to an end.2
There is still much work to be done, but we now have an opportunity-a
golden opportunity-to address the underlying issue of addiction.
Rob Bovett, J.D., Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College (1990); B.A.,
English and Political Science at the University of La Verne (1987). Mr. Bovett is legal counsel
for the Oregon Narcotics Enforcement Association and the Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team,
and is co-founder and President of the Oregon Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. Mr.
Bovett is the author of Oregon's meth lab chemical control laws, and helped author the
international precursor controls contained in the federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act
enacted by Congress in 2006. This article is dedicated to Oklahoma State Trooper Nikky Joe
Green.
1. See generally REP. OF THE INT'L NARCOTICS CONTROL BD. FOR 2005 (2006) [hereinafter
2005 INT'L NARCOTICS REPORT]. In addition to the United States, many other areas of the world
are suffering the ill effects of a meth epidemic, including, but not limited to, Southeast Asia, East
Asia, Southern Africa, parts of Eastern Europe, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. See
generally id.
2. See infra note 3. This article will focus on only one part of the solution, namely control of
the key ingredient necessary to make d-methamphetamine. The full solution requires strong
support for science-based prevention, enforcement, and treatment.](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/nordak82&div=44&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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Meth Epidemic Solutions
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