"Unnecessary epidemic".

• Author: Suo, Steve
• Position: Monthly Journalism Award - Brief Article

Portland Oregonian

October 3,2004

This astonishing series, one of the best pieces of reporting published anywhere this year, makes a convincing case that the FDA, by deregulating a pair of chemicals at the behest of the pharmaceutical lobby, has contributed to the crystal meth epidemic now plaguing rural communities around America. Crystal meth, a devastatingly addictive drug, is made, usually in crude backyard labs, by synthesizing several commercially available chemicals, most crucially two called psuedoephedrine and ephedrine. Four years ago, these two chemicals were illegal--but the FDA legalized them, after heavy lobbying by pharmaceutical companies who wanted to use them, in less potent form, in cough remedies like Sudafed. After the chemicals were made legal, Suo convincingly documents, crystal meth production soared--as did deaths, arrests, and rehab visits caused by the drug: Peter Reuter of the University of Maryland, one of the nation's most respected...