2005 Meth Bill Reducing Crime

Legislation passed last year by the General Assembly to reduce the number of meth labs in North Carolina is already having a positive effect across our state. The new law requires anyone who buys cold tablets containing pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, such as Sudafed, to show a photo ID at a store counter and sign a log. State authorities last month found the fewest number of meth labs since December 2003. Agents with the State Bureau of Investigation busted 11 meth labs in May, a 69 percent drop from the 35 labs discovered in May 2005, said Attorney General Roy Cooper. State officials said agents have busted 112 labs from the date the law took effect on January 15 through May 31. They found 172 labs for the same period last year.