Report finds sharp rise in treatment rates for meth abuse

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A report released Thursday says the number of people getting treatment for methamphetamine abuse more than quadrupled nationwide from 1993 to 2003. <br/><br/>And the report by the Substance

Thursday, March 2nd 2006, 1:08 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ A report released Thursday says the number of people getting treatment for methamphetamine abuse more than quadrupled nationwide from 1993 to 2003.

And the report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says Oklahoma is one of 18 states with meth treatment rates higher than the national rate.

But since 2003 Oklahoma has passed a law to limit the sale of cold medicines that contain a key ingredient in making meth. The medicines can only be sold from behind the counter in pharmacies and the amount a person can buy in a 30 day period is limited.

State drug investigators say since the law went into effect the number of meth labs found in Oklahoma has fallen dramatically.

Several other states have since passed similar laws and Congress is also considering a similar bill.