Methamphetamines present a unique threat because they are not a drug that has to be smuggled into our Commonwealth. Rather, it is a drug that can be made right in our cities and towns, using products that anyone can acquire at any convenience store in town. We cannot and do not intend to prevent these items from being sold, but we can work to educate clerks and others regarding what to look for and what to report. A customer buying some cold medicine is normal; a customer buying a case of it in addition to drain cleaner, coffee filters, and road flares should be a signal to that clerk that something is amiss, and that action should be taken.
That is why this partnership is based upon education of employees, and the public with regard to just what to look for when it comes to meth in our society. The threat of meth is one that grows under cover of ignorance of its existence. In the past, someone in a store buying the ingredients for meth production may not have warranted a second look, or maybe just received a bemused smile from someone wondering why anyone would need that much cold medicine. Today we must change that inattention into attentiveness, and awareness, of just what is occurring around us. This is a battle that does not call for border agents standing guard, but rather employees of our stores, and citizens in our communities, being aware of what is going on around them.
Here in Virginia we saw the meth production problem expand over the past few years, and took actions to combat the threat. The number of meth labs in Virginia dramatically climbed to a peak of 79 discovered labs in federal fiscal year 2005. Fortunately, 2006 reflected a reduction in labs to 23 and current fiscal year information reflects that we are on pace for approximately the same number in fiscal year 2007. However, we must ensure that we stay alert to the problems and concerns of domestic production.
While the production issue is one that is especially prevalent in western Virginia, we are now seeing distribution spread across the state. For these reasons, this partnership represents a critical step in raising awareness that meth is in Virginia, and moving to disrupt and destroy its production and distribution.
This program will require no real monetary costs for merchants, and a limited investment on the part of the Commonwealth. Many materials for the program will be provided through the resources of the DEA, and other national associations. This is a common sense program designed to tackle the issue of meth use in Virginia, while not increasing the size of government, or expanding its intrusion into the every day lives of our citizens.
This program will unfortunately not stop the use of meth, but it will create real obstacles to its production, and promote much needed awareness as to the threat it presents to our communities. It will mean more people aware of what to look for, and less freedom from scrutiny for those trying to manufacture this dangerous and addictive drug in Virginia. I urge you to join us in this effort.