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Courtney Orton and Becky Bruce reportingThere's good news in the fight against methamphetamine in the state of Utah. The number of meth labs in the state is down. But it's not all good news. Utah has one of the highest rates of prescription drug abuse in the nation.
The U.S. Department of Justice reports that in 1999, authorities seized 272 meth labs in the state of Utah. Last year, authorities seized only three.
The numbers are way down, and part of the success is linked to the campaign targeted at fighting the meth epidemic in Utah.
Gov. Jon Huntsman said, "Over the past couple of years, we have spent $15 million. This is a record high for us as a state by a long shot."
That $15 million went to treatment, environmental cleanup and a major awareness campaign you've seen in yellow and black billboards across the state. Lisa-Michele Church, the executive director of the Utah Department of Human Services, said, "We didn't use a cookie-cutter approach. We talked with real-life addicts and real-life families, and those are the voices that came through."
Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said, "We knew we were never going to win this war on meth until money and effort was put into prevention, education and, most importantly, rehabilitation programs."
Utah has the only pilot program in the United States aimed at treating officers exposed to deadly meth labs through exercise, sauna, and mineral and vitamin supplements.
Other good news is that the price of meth is up. In years past, one ounce of meth cost $650-$700. Today, an ounce of meth costs $1,600 to $1,800.
White House Deputy Drug Czar Scott Burns came to Utah today to present an award for Utah's progress against the meth threat. But at the same time, he addressed the growing threat of prescription drug abuse among young people in Utah. "The drug dealers are us. We know that 60 percent to 70 percent of all painkillers and prescription drugs accessed by 12- to 18- year olds, and that includes in Utah, come from the medicine cabinets at home and for free," Burns said.
Authorities say the number one thing parents can do to prevent prescription drug abuse in their children is to get rid of all painkillers at home.
For information on how to properly dispose of old medications, go to the related link.
White House Deputy Drug Czar Scott Burns will be a guest in tonight's Talking Point on Eyewitness News at 6:30.
E-mail: corton@ksl.com
E-mail: bbruce@ksl.com
