KANSAS CITY, MO -
Missouri is starting to live up to its old title as the meth capital of the U.S. The number of meth lab busts went up across the United States in 2009. And Missouri led the nation.
Nationally, police busted up 27 percent more meth labs in 2009, than in 2008. That's the largest increase since 2005, when federal legislators required consumers to sign for pseudoephedrine products at pharmacy counters.
But, Missouri still tops the list. The highway patrol says police in Missouri busted up nearly 18 -hundred meth labs last year. That's a 20 percent increase. And Jefferson City led the state in meth busts with 227 in 2009 alone. A bill requiring prescriptions for pseudoephedrine products in Missouri is pending.
U-s senator kit bond secured $1.5 million for the Missouri Sherriff's Meth-amphetamine Relief Team, or MOSMART.
The bill passed the senate in December, but still needs a signature from President Obama.
Senator Bond says the funds are critical to continue fighting meth and keeping neighborhoods and communities safe.
MOSMSART was created in 2000. From 2001 to 2008, the program's 48 officers busted up over 14,000 meth labs, and arrested more than 33,000 suspects for attempted manufacturing, distribution and possession of meth.
Federal agents think one of the reasons for the increase in meth labs popping up more often across the U.S., is mexico's ban in 2009 on importing pseudoephedrine.
Nationally, police busted up 27 percent more meth labs in 2009, than in 2008. That's the largest increase since 2005, when federal legislators required consumers to sign for pseudoephedrine products at pharmacy counters.
But, Missouri still tops the list. The highway patrol says police in Missouri busted up nearly 18 -hundred meth labs last year. That's a 20 percent increase. And Jefferson City led the state in meth busts with 227 in 2009 alone. A bill requiring prescriptions for pseudoephedrine products in Missouri is pending.
U-s senator kit bond secured $1.5 million for the Missouri Sherriff's Meth-amphetamine Relief Team, or MOSMART.
The bill passed the senate in December, but still needs a signature from President Obama.
Senator Bond says the funds are critical to continue fighting meth and keeping neighborhoods and communities safe.
MOSMSART was created in 2000. From 2001 to 2008, the program's 48 officers busted up over 14,000 meth labs, and arrested more than 33,000 suspects for attempted manufacturing, distribution and possession of meth.
Federal agents think one of the reasons for the increase in meth labs popping up more often across the U.S., is mexico's ban in 2009 on importing pseudoephedrine.
