Part A - Society for Public Health Education

of domestic methamphetamine super labs (i.e., those laboratories that produce largevolumes of methamphetamine for wholesale). National Clandestine LaboratorySeizure System data show that the overall number of reported methamphetaminelaboratory seizures nationwide has decreased 42%, from 10,015 in 2004 to 5,846 in2005. Preliminary data indicate that this trend has continued in 2006. The numbersof laboratory seizures will most likely decrease further as more states implementrestrictions on products used in the production of the drug (NDIC, 2006).Controlling the Methamphetamine ProblemFederal and local law enforcement help control the methamphetamine problem.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported 6,090 methamphetaminerelatedarrests during 2005, up from 5,893 in 2004 and 6,055 in 2003 (NDIC,2006). During fiscal year 2006, there were 5,395 federal defendants sentenced formethamphetamine-related charges in U.S. Courts. Approximately 98% of the casesinvolved methamphetamine trafficking (U.S. Sentencing Commission).Additionally, federal, state, and local legislation help control the problem. An overviewof the federal legislation follows:• The DEA classified methamphetamine as a schedule II narcotic under theControlled Substances Act (1970).© 2007 Society for Public Health Education• The Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 broadenedthe controls on listed chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine,increased penalties for the trafficking and manufacturing ofmethamphetamine and listed chemicals, and expanded the controls ofproducts containing the licit chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, andphenylpropanolamine.• The Children’s Health Act of 2000 included provisions for dealing withmethamphetamine prevention, production, enforcement, treatment, andabuse.• The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 was the first stepin enacting a nationwide measure to require that drugs containing ephedrine,pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine be kept behind pharmacycounters and require the identification and signature of the buyer beforeallowing purchase. The act also limited purchases to 3.6 g of products containingpseudoephedrine or ephedrine within a 24-hour period and no morethan 9 g per 30-day period. The legislation also added further restrictions onPart A: An Educational Toolkit for Health Educators15