The communities of far western Kentucky were among the first to feel the effects of methamphetamine production and addiction several years ago. Both meth production and use have spread to most all corners of the commonwealth. The problem can’t always be measured in the number of meth labs in a given area. Lexington police detective Byron Smoot says local investigators typically find only a handful of meth labs in a given year. But, he says Lexington ranks second in the number of pharmacies among Kentucky cities. Smoot says groups of four to five people often come to Fayette County to buy cold remedies with pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth production.
“We are to methamphetamine or Sudafed what Florida and some of those cities are to the pill problem, what we call a source city,” said Smoot.
The veteran detective says marijuana and prescription drugs continue to be priority issues in Lexington. Smoot worries meth could become even a bigger concern in the area.
“My fear is that if these people decide to either switch over or start cooking things here in Lexington…it’s just the devastation of the cook process and addiction brings to a city is just overwhelming,” explained Smoot.
State lawmakers are considering legislative solutions to meth production problems. One would require prescriptions for products with pseudoephedrine.
