I didn't know whether to post this here or in the Law & Order forum. Sorry. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A new additive that can be used to make a common farm fertilizer ineffective for producing methamphetamine is showing promise, giving hope to state officials that the drug's reach can be stemmed.
The additive was developed by Iowa State University researchers to limit use of anhydrous ammonia, a chemical fertilizer widely used to boost crop production on Iowa farms.
State officials won't release the name of the additive, what it's made of, or how exactly it stops the meth-making process because it's under legal review by federal officials and there may be patent issues.
"The science is good and I am very pleased with this happening in Iowa," said Iowa's drug czar Marvin Van Haaften.
Ed Childress, a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration spokesman, said the additive has been tested, but more work needs to be done.
"The additive is showing great promise and it's showing that it's effective in disrupting the process of manufacturing methamphetamine," he said. "There's still a few more pending issues."
Some of those issues might be the cost of the additive and whether the government would give tax incentives to farmers or farm dealers who go to the expense of adding it to anhydrous ammonia tanks. Officials will also have to explain whether the additive affects the environment.
According to the Justice Department's National Drug Intelligence Center, methamphetamine production is widespread in the Midwest.
To make meth, producers mix small batches of chemicals, including anhydrous ammonia, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine and sodium or lithium metal.
"The development of this additive will aid in our fight against this poison and help us better secure our children," Gov. Tom Vilsack said in a news release Monday announcing the additive's effectiveness.
Iowa officials have taken other steps to make it harder to get products used in making meth, including passing a law that takes effect July 1 that puts more restrictions on purchasing pseudoephedrine. Farmers also have been encouraged to put locks on their anhydrous ammonia tanks.
http://www.columbustelegram.com/articles/2004/06/15/news/news5.txt