OKLAHOMA: NO DROP OVERALL IN METH USE

Law Leads To Drop In Labs; Mexican-Made Version More Prevalent

TULSA, Okla. - A widely copied Oklahoma law that has led to a dramatic drop
in small-time methamphetamine labs has done little to curtail meth abuse
overall. Users are turning to Mexican-made versions of the highly addictive
drug, according to drug agents and others dealing with the problem.

Mexican drug cartels that have traditionally focused on trafficking
cocaine, heroin and marijuana are now adding methamphetamine to their
supply, said Lonnie Wright, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics
and Dangerous Drugs.

Mr. Wright told members of the Oklahoma Sentencing Commission on Thursday
that law enforcement is shifting its focus to these Mexican drug smugglers
who are dealing in a smokeable meth known as "crystal ice" to fill a void
left with the disappearance of Oklahoma meth labs.

"We're regrouping, and we're kind of at a crossroads," Mr. Wright said. "I
think we're through with meth labs, at least for now."

Seizures of "crystal ice" have risen nearly fivefold since a state law
began putting local meth makers out of business.

Oklahoma was the first of more than a dozen states to limit
over-the-counter sales of cold medicine containing a key ingredient used to
make meth.

"Our problem hasn't gone away," said Oklahoma City Police Lt. Tom Terhune,
who investigates drug cases. "The problem that's gone away is the meth labs."

Oklahoma has seen a 90 percent drop in lab seizures since it put medicines
containing pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters in April 2004. Congress
is now considering similar legislation.

In the same 15 months, however, ice seizures rose to 1,875, compared with
384 seizures in the previous 15 months, Oklahoma State Bureau of
Investigation statistics show.

"The violence with the drug is still there," Lt. Terhune said. "But the
house next door isn't going to blow up because they're selling ice out of it."