Methcheck: "Limited Effect" Commisioner, KY State Police

Methcheck: "It seems to have limited effect on reducing the number of clandestine meth labs in Kentucky, the purpose for which it was funded."

Rodney W. Brewer, Commissioner, Kentucky State Police


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Jun 29, 2009 ... June 2008 through May 2009, the MethCheck system blocked 18000 sales of ... Please do not hesitate to contact Major Joe Williams, ...
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Page 1
KENTUCKY STATE POLICE
Steven
l.
Beshear
919 Versail les Road
J.
Michael Brown
Governor
Frankfort, Kentu cky 4060 1
Secretary
www.kentu ckystatepoli ce.org
Rodney Brewer
Comm issioner
June 29, 2009
Kent
A.
Shaw
Assistant Chief
California Office of the Attorney General Department of Justice
Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement
Dear Assistant Chief Shaw:
In the late 1990's the Commonwealth of Kentucky began to experience an increase
of illegal clandestine methamphetamine labs throughout the state. The numbers
steadily increased until peaking in 2004/2005. In June 2005, a Kentucky statute
required that pseudoephedrine (PSE), a prime ingredient in illegally produced
methamphetamine, be sold only from licensed pharmacies and that each sale must
require a photo identification card from the purchaser and be recorded in a log
subject to inspection by law enforcement. The "pharmacy log" statute had the
immediate effect of substantially reducing clandestine meth labs in the state.
Kentucky clan lab numbers went from 589 in 2005 to 328 in 2006, a decrease of
44%.
Throughout 2006 and the first half of calendar year 2007 the numbers of clan labs
reported on a monthly basis continued to show a decrease from the previous year's
monthly totals; i.e. January 2007 totals were less than January 2006, and January
2006 totals were less than January 2005, etc. This trend continued until the
second half of 2007, when the monthly totals began to increase. However, the
2007 year-end total was 302 clan labs.
The monthly increase in clan lab numbers continued into calendar year 2008. On
June 1, 2008, in an effort to further reduce clandestine lab production, a new
Kentucky statute required the pharmacy logs to be reported on a centralized
database prescribed by state government. This computerized system, known as
MethCheck, is also accessible to law enforcement. In its first year of operation,
June 2008 through May 2009, the MethCheck system blocked 18,000 sales of
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Page 2
Clandestine Lab Information
June 29, 2009
Page 2
PSE. However, the MethCheck system apparently had little impact on the numbers
of clandestine labs in our state. Kentucky's number for calendar year 2008 was
428, up from 302 in 2007, an increase of 41%.
So far this year, January 2009 through May 2009, Kentucky responded to 210
clandestine labs. If this trend continues throughout the remainder of the year, our
state's responses will at least equal the numbers of the 2008 totals.
This twelve month observation period of the computerized monitoring system
indicates that while it blocked some sales of PSE , it seems to have little effect on
reducing the numbers of clan labs in Kentucky, the purpose for which it was
funded. Additional time will confirm whether it will perform its intended function.
In order to assist in comprehension of these statistics, I have attached some chart
and graph information related to Kentucky's clan lab responses. Please do not
hesitate to contact Major Joe Williams, the KSP Commander of our Special
Enforcement Troop, at 502.695.6321 if you need additional information or
assistance.
RWB:JMW
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