Posted on 04/25/2015 11:12:58 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Law enforcement agencies have long wondered why methamphetamine, which ravaged so many American communities from the 1990s until the mid-2000s, didn’t take hold in New York City.
Because the New York City metropolitan area is the largest illegal drug market in the country, and because demand has been so high elsewhere in the U.S., the city’s law enforcement for decades “has always been anticipating a meth outbreak,” explains James Hunt, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division.
“We’ve just never seen it take off to the same degree,” Hunt tells Newsweek.
Try Newsweek for only $1.25 per week
Heroin, cocaine and marijuana remain the mainstays of the city’s illicit drug economy, while meth has stayed on the fringes of the club scene.
When there have been arrests for distribution of meth, they have mainly peaked at one or several pounds, and often occur in the city’s West Village neighborhood, officials say. Moreover, the rate at which meth has flowed into the city has been more of a trickle than a steady stream, given that it’s historically arrived in small quantities through the mail or occasionally via individuals traveling from the West Coast on airplanes.
So it was notable that authorities earlier this month collared near the Holland Tunnel a driver who, they allege, had 25 kilos of meth in his trunk. Officials believe the meth to be of Mexican origin, they tell Newsweek. Of course, one big bust does not a trend make, let alone serve as evidence of a potential drug “epidemic.”
It’s worth pointing out, though, that the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) meth seizures in New York have surged since fiscal year 2012. The DEA seized six kilos that year, but the total shot up to 44, 55 and 66 kilos in fiscal
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
Heroin, coke, pot and Newsweek. That ought to be enough to keep anyone stoned. Who needs meth? /s;)
Nick, Meth is the drug of choice for rural white America. It is the Redneck’s answer to crack. These Mexicans might as well try to sell Country’n’Western in the ‘hood.
It might surprise you. Even some Wall Street guys do meth.
Here's a product which is cheap to manufacture, addictive, and whose price is ultimately supported by misguided government policies. As and when meth spreads in New York, we will blame the drug rather than the policies. I don't see how we can change the nature of the drug but we could change our policies.
What policies should we change? Have major corporations sell it and tax it, so the government has a vested interest in spreading it.
And the policy should change to...?
Meth is one of the most addictive substances known. Many people are hooked after one experience with it. The cartels are well aware of this. If our cops really want to kill people, they need to start killing the SOBs manufacturing and distributing this poison.
The whole idea is to take the profit motive out of the drug trade but that means that the government may not tax drugs because governments will inevitably raise the taxes (as the government in New York did on cigarettes) to a height which permits a black market underneath to flourish.
Washington DC is experiencing a different strategy. Step 1, Have 70% of the voters approve legalization of marijuana for those 21 and older. Permit smoking only in private homes, and only allow growing inside private homes. Up to six plants allowed, 3 mature and 3 young. Legal to carry up to 2 ounces on the street, cannot sell it but can give it away. Step 2, have certain Congressmen threaten or forbid DC to enact any regulations to tax marijuana sales, or spend DC tax money to provide drug treatment for MJ overusers. Step 3, DC government says the Referendum voted in November 2014 stands and anything not requiring DC funds that was voted on is the law. Step 4, happy pot entrepreneurs open up shops to sell papers, grow lights, pipes, etc. Also have seed give-away parties. Step 5, what’s next, but sure is an interesting experiment. However, so far no taxation and no representation. Ain’t democracy grand.
The policy should change to killing drug dealers in the streets.
You said “yes,” so you believe the government should tax it?
You really think Pfizer and Proctor & Gamble won’t find profit in it? They will make the Cartels look like Up With People.
Yabut can they drive a bean harvester?
C'mon, Nick
Much of the incentive to addict people will be removed. If you want to make the counter argument you might point to cigarettes and argue that tobacco companies gave free samples of cigarettes to soldiers etc. in an effort to addict them.
But there is a whole different dynamic involved.
cartel members need to die. We need to take the fight to them across the border and kill them in their homes.
[[Mexican Cartels Try to Create a Market for Meth in New York City]]
Nope- sorry drjug cartel, there’s simply no market for it in NYC- everyone there is completely drug free and upstanding citizens - sorry but you’ll have to find some other place, might I suggest the nations capitol building?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.