More Meth Labs

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Authorities say drug makers have a new
recipe for methamphetamine, and that's led to an increase in meth
labs in Alabama.
Police saw a decrease in methamphetamine production in the state
after a law took effect in 2005 to make it harder to purchase key
ingredients for the drug.
But agents say many drug makers have switched to an easier
cooking method that takes fewer ingredients. And that's led to an
increase in the number of meth labs.
The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates about 135 of the
new labs have been reported since October. Additional ones were
found in the state that weren't reported to the federal agency.
The DEA says the number of meth labs in Alabama fell from a peak
of 385 in 2004 to 127 in 2007.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)