LAW WORKS, BUT REAL PROBLEM STILL EXISTS

Methamphetamine is a huge problem in Oklahoma.  In fact, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, crank is Oklahoma's "primary drug of choice."

The reasons are simple: The high is higher than similar drugs, and once meth gets its hooks in someone, they have to have it.

The homemade drug is a danger to those who use it, their families and the communities in which they live.  And the drug's manufacturing byproducts are dangerous to the environment for everyone.

Lye, gas-line antifreeze, ammonia and other ingredients leave residues and containers that can be dangerous even to breathe.

The Oklahoma Legislature recently passed a law to restrict the sale of certain over-the-counter medicines that contain a key meth ingredient, and preliminary reports are that the law is having an effect on shutting down the "mom and pop" labs where the drug is produced.

We were against the law because it restricts access to the drugs by law-abiding citizens, but we never disputed that it would be effective.

We still believe the law unfairly inconveniences law-abiding citizens, but it seems to have had the desired impact.

The impact has been so good that states like Texas are studying whether to copy Oklahoma's law.

We're glad the labs are being reduced, but we're still not certain the law has addressed the real problem.

According to the DEA, "most of the methamphetamine in the state is brought in by Hispanic organizations via motor vehicles, commercial airlines, and mail delivery services."

Until a law addresses those methods of getting meth, the battle will be uphill.