Pseudoephedrine is found in over-the-counter cold medicines such as Sudafed. While these pills may provide relief to cold sufferers, to criminals who are in the business of making meth, these pills are gold. Meth-makers legally buy as much of the raw product as they can at local pharmacies and drug stores.
A federal law designed to crack down on methamphetamine abuse sets a hard limit on pseudoephedrine: No more than nine grams, or about seven packs, per customer each month. But to get around that limit, which is electronically tracked by drug stores in certain states, meth users will team up so that each can buy the maximum at once. [Deputy director Dan] Smoot explained that it’s a practice known as “smurfing,” named after the little blue cartoon characters, Smurfs, who are small, but mighty as a team.
Caught this one on the morning run. The video is highly recommended if you have time. Did you know that Kentucky is number 3 in America in Methamphetamine production? I didn’t. Read it all–KSH.
Here in Kentucky some of our southeastern counties are overrun with met addicts. Meth lab busts are a daily occurrence throughout the state. It’s become so prevalent that it’s no longer news and I don’t see much progress being made in combatting it.
Number 1 in meth production is our neighboring State of Missouri.
If I remember correctly, it’s the whole subculture behind the movie “Winter’s Bone”–poignant and difficult but worth watching.