January 30, 2006

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Our state has a rich tradition of working together to overcome challenges, and I write to you this week with an update that is a good example of what we can accomplish when we come together to put the interests of Nebraskans first. Proposed and passed during last year’s legislative session, LB 117 took effect in early September and has proven effective in helping curb the number of meth labs found here in our state.

Since the implementation of LB 117, the number of reported meth labs in Nebraska has decreased dramatically. Looking at the numbers from September through the end of 2005, the total number of domestic meth labs was down more than 70 percent when compared to the same period last year.

Nebraska recorded 247 reports of domestic meth labs in 2005, while statistics gathered last year by the Nebraska State Patrol indicated that more than 300 labs had been dismantled in 2004. The bulk of the decrease in the number of labs in 2005 occurred in the last few months of the year, when just 29 labs were discovered in Nebraska; down from 103 discovered during the same time span in 2004.

LB 117 is strong and vital legislation that is working to restrict access to the key precursor of homemade meth, psuedoephedrine. The law requires those purchasing products containing pseudoephedrine to show identification, in addition to enhancing the penalties for those who cook or deal meth in our state.

While the majority of the meth in Nebraska is manufactured and brought into our state from other parts of the country, this law was meant to have an impact the number of local meth labs. These labs pose not only tremendous risk to the inhabitants of the homes converted into labs, but also those involved in the time and labor intensive clean-up process.

Prior to LB 117 becoming law, the State Patrol estimated that roughly 80 percent of their resources dedicated to battling methamphetamine were being used to uncover and dismantle domestic meth labs, which accounted for roughly 20 percent of the total supply available in the state.

With the implementation of regulations restricting the sale of medications containing pseudoephedrine and the reduction in the number of local labs, law enforcement agencies across the state now have the opportunity to devote a significant portion of their resources to developing new strategies to deal with the meth trafficked into our state. This new law is helping law enforcement officers across the state focus more of their time, attention and resources on protecting Nebraskans and their families from a drug that is often addictive from the very first time it’s used.

Faced with the growing threat of meth and the problems addiction to this dangerous drug fosters, I am very pleased leaders in our state were able to come together to send a clear message to meth manufacturers and dealers that Nebraska is no place for them.

When I signed this bill into law several months ago, I was confident that LB 117 would put the proper tools in place to begin to curb the production of meth here in Nebraska. While the fight against this terrible drug is far from over, we have taken an important and much-needed step in turning the tide against a very dangerous drug, and we can be pleased with the results seen so far.