Sheriff discusses meth initiative, new bill

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Sheriff Sam Cochran held a press conference Thursday morning to talk about the Meth Initiative. 

Since 2008, the program has tried to crack down on meth use in the county.  Despite Sheriff Sam Cochran’s efforts, he said meth use is spreading in Mobile county.

“It’s true that some of our arrests are down, and it's true that some of our drug labs seizures are down but we believe part of that is, it's more difficult to catch them," said Cochran.

The Meth Initiative, created by Sheriff Sam Cochran, empowers citizens to take action against the use and manufacture of methamphetamine. The program targets meth users through three areas of focus: ENFORCEMENT, COMPLIANCE AND EDUCATION. ;

Since June August, deputies have arrested about 50 people on meth charges. Five people are still wanted and their cases have been turned over to the U.S Marshall. They are:

Travis Demon Beard
Janet Carroll Seaman
Jermaine Marquis Lewis  
Henry Mark Threadgill
Michael W. Langley

Cochran believes Mobile’s meth problem that has a solution.  He wants to make it harder for drug offenders to get their hands on pseudoephedrine. An ingredient used to make meth.

"I’ve always maintained that is the one ingredient that we could require to be a prescription only that would truly choke it off in Mobile County,” said cochran.

Making pseudoephedrine prescription-only was the sheriff's goal this year. Some progress was made in a new bill HB363 , but the sheriff said some tougher laws are needed because the law won't keep pseudoephedrine from getting into the wrong hands. 

"Just think if they couldn't manufacture it here, you wouldn't have the children in danger. You wouldn't have the explosions. You wouldn't have the law enforcement taking risk cleaning it up,” said Cochran.

Critics think making pseudoephedrine prescription-only, makes it harder for those who are truly sick to get their preferred medicine. After-all, why should their habits change for drug offender's addiction?

"There are numerous types of treatments in other products available that do not have pseudoephedrine in it that will give them relief,” said Cochran.

The sheriff believes until pseudoephedrine is only available by prescription, the war on meth will continue.

In August, customers in Alabama will have to show a valid I.D before they can purchase medicine containing pseudoephedrine. Also.  It will only be sold in stores with a pharmacy.