Over the last several years, law enforcement officials throughout the country have taken a very tough stance against methamphetamine possession and production. In fact, individuals can be charged in Iowa for possessing precursors to manufacturing methamphetamine, not just the substance in its completed form.
Not long ago, Iowa officials arrested a 31-year-old man for methamphetamine production. Reports indicate that a “mobile meth lab” was found in the man’s car, which was located in hospital parking ramp. Police say that they found drug paraphernalia and materials related to the production of methamphetamine.
In some cases, methamphetamine is manufactured in small quantities using a variety of household substances and chemicals. It can even be made in plastic beverage bottles. These are the kind of “meth precursors” that could also fuel criminal charges.
Many people might imagine scenes from the popular television show “Breaking Bad” when they hear about meth labs. The reality is that the substance can be manufactured on a much smaller scale than the story portrayed in the show. In other words, not everyone arrested on meth manufacturing charges is like Walter White.
Keeping this in mind, individuals who are arrested on suspicion of meth manufacturing might have a serious addiction problem. In other words, people might possess the precursor chemicals for their own purposes, rather than nationwide trafficking. As such, it may be better to pursue measures that are rehabilitative in nature. Methamphetamine is known to be a highly addictive chemical, so individuals — and society — might benefit most from working to address addiction issues.
Source: The Gazette, “Police find mobile meth lab in hospital parking ramp,” Lee Hermiston, April 17, 2014
