New York State police have found a record number of meth labs this year leading police and prosecutors to push the legislature for stiffer penalties for those charged with making meth and related drug crimes. Right now, people charged with making meth face a maximum of two and a half years in prison.
Highest Number of Meth Labs Since 2003
Last year, the police only answered 45 reports of meth labs, but this year there have already been over 100 reports. The number of meth labs found in New York this year is the highest number since 2003 when police found 73 meth labs. This year, the police have found 89 meth labs, and the year is not even over yet. Eight of the labs were found in Clinton County but the majority of the labs were found west and south of Syracuse. Clinton County is the only county in the Northeastern part of the state where meth labs were found.
Reasons for the Increase
Some say that the reason for the increase is that some of the state’s drug task forces have new software. The software allows the police to look at pharmaceutical records. These records can show police who has purchased medications that are involved in the making of meth. The software pulls out names of people who have made certain purchases and when they have met the legal limit for their purchases of the items used to make meth.
Others say the increase is due to the decrease in the availability of bath salts. New York State has pushed to get bath salts out of the stores. With the lack of availability of bath salts that were once easy to get one’s hands on, meth has become more popular bbecause it is easy to make and most of the ingredients are household items.
Stiffer Penalties Sought
Prosecutors and police are trying to find ways to prevent people from cooking meth, but since it is relatively easy to make, this has proven to be difficult. This is why they are pushing for stiffer penalties. The legislature has already determined that people charged with cooking meth should be imprisoned for a maximum of two and a half years, and there is no word on whether the legislature agrees that people charged should have enhanced penalties.