Oklahoma meth law overhyped

Drug warriors across the country have been falling over themselves to emulate Oklahoma's anti-meth statute, which only allows pseudoephedrine tablets (a "precursor" substance used for making meth) to be sold by a pharmacist. Texas state Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, has proposed SB 107, which emulates Oklahoma's law, and SB 108, which would increase prison sentences for meth production (See prior Grits coverage: 99 is not enough).

OK law enforcement says meth lab busts have declined in Oklahoma by 80% since the statute was implemented.

It may not be that simple, though. According to the Lawton (OK) Constitution (pdf), meth busts have declined there, but over the same period, cocaine use skyrocketed to an "all-time high," with arrests for cocaine increasing by 660%.

So if meth busts declined by 80%, but meth users substituted cocaine, arrests for which increased 660%, did the new policy really curb drug abuse in Oklahoma? It seems a stretch to say so.

Here's an alternative explanation: roughly the same percentage of people appear to be addicted to hard drugs in Oklahoma as before the new meth law, just to a different drug, one supplied by Colombian drug lords instead of local meth cooks. But it's not as though a large number of Okies aren't still sucking powder up their noses.

The Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee has proposed expanding drug courts and treatment programs as a way to actually reduce drug abuse. That seems more productive than just shifting addicts from one drug to another.

Update: "War on Sniffles" harms public safety.