By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Despite a 22% decline from last year, Missouri still leads the nation in police seizures of illegal meth labs.
Missouri is one of at least 37 states with laws that restrict the sale of cold medications. The laws are part of an effort to starve meth manufacturers of their key ingredient.
The new federal Combat Meth Act will enforce similar restrictions across the nation by September 30th.
Nationally, police seizures of meth labs fell 30% last year.
Also, the nation's largest drug testing company said the number of job applicants and workers who test positive for meth fell 31% in the first five months of this year.
White House drug czar John Walters said the declines are evidence that the one-two punch to restrict chemicals and educate the public about meth are paying off.