Hate to burst the TimesDaily's little bubble, but the Office of the National Drug Control Policy (WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov) has TWO press releases that indicate Crystal Meth use is DOWN.
Press Release
Copy & Paste LINK to: WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov/news/press08/031208.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
CONTACT: Jennifer de Vallance
(202) 395–6648 / (202) 368–8422 cell
METHAMPHETAMINE, COCAINE USE PLUMMET; NEW WORKPLACE DRUG TESTING DATA SHOW EFFECTS OF SUPPLY CRUNCH RELATED RESOURCE
(Washington, DC)—John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy, today highlighted new data showing significant reductions in meth and cocaine positivity rates in the American workforce, as well as continued disruptions in the supply of both drugs.
"Quest Diagnostics, the largest provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services conducts employer drug testing services throughout the Nation, and their DTI, a summary of workplace drug tests, is an indicator of national drug use trends. The latest findings are based on results from more than 6.6 million general workforce drug tests performed by Quest Diagnostics across the United States in 2007. These general workforce drug tests, added to the federally-mandated safety-sensitive workforce tests, sum to an annual total of 8.4 million combined U.S. workforce tests in 2007."
Further, illicit shipments from South of the border (in Mexico), are down, as are the primary ingredients from which its made.
PRESS RELEASE:
THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008
Copy & Paste LINK to: WhiteHouseDrugPolicy.gov/news/press08/030608.html
CONTACT: Jennifer de Vallance
(202) 395–6648 / (202) 368–8422
U.S. HIGHLIGHTS LATEST INTERNATIONAL PROGRESS AGAINST METHAMPHETAMINE;
URGES VULNERABLE NATIONS TO INCREASE EFFORTS TO CURB TRAFFICKING OF PRECURSOR CHEMICALS
(Washington, D.C.)—The U.S. Deputy Drug Czar, Scott Burns, announced today that Mexico has made monumental strides to disrupt the methamphetamine precursor chemical trade, and is making a direct and significant impact on trafficking of finished meth into the United States. Mexico, under the leadership of President Calderon, has drastically reduced the amount of imports of methamphetamine precursors in 2007, and has ceased to issue import permits for key meth precursor chemicals. Sellers of products containing meth precursors must deplete their remaining supplies by 2009. Estimates indicate that the Mexican precursor control efforts have already contributed to a nearly 50 percent decrease in meth seizures along the U.S. Southwest border."
Dang! Now they're going to have to print a retraction!
But, I betcha' they won't do it!
What about doing some investigative and series feature reporting on something useful... like Drug Court, and how they have helped change lives of former users?!
Well?
What about it TD editors?
Original Post