May 24, 2013
It's a growing epidemic we took an in depth look at in April: meth labs.
Tuesday, another disturbing report was released about the explosion in these secret labs. The National Association of Counties has labeled meth the top drug threat facing local law enforcement, and they want Congress to help with new laws.
Just how is North Carolina doing in the battle against meth? When we reported on the problem back in April, law enforcement had busted 117 labs statewide. As of the end of June, that number is now up to 194.
State Attorney General Roy Cooper expects the number to top 500 by the end of the year. One new way the state is combating the problem is by training Department of Social Services workers to look for signs of meth when they make house visits.
Just last week the state Senate approved a bill that would move tablets containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, one of the main ingredients used to make meth, behind pharmacy counters and require consumers to show a photo identification to buy them.
