FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP/WHAS11) -- Kentucky State Police say law enforcement officials found a record number of methamphetamine labs in the state last year.
State police say in a statement Thursday that officers discovered 716 meth labs, an all-time high for Kentucky. The previous high was in 2004, when officers found 600 labs.
The rise of meth labs in Kentucky can be linked to many things. For starters it’s getting easier and easier to make.
Patrick Fogarty is a former meth addict and has cooked meth.
He grew up in Louisville’s east end and went to Trinity High School.
He says he is an example of how widespread the meth epidemic is in this state.
“I definitely wasn't raised in an environment where I was exposed to meth and it definitely had an impact on my life for the negative,” says Fogarty.
Kentucky State Police say the number of meth labs is up 60% from last year.
Police say it’s partly because people can make them anywhere, even in a Gatorade bottle.
Sgt. Stan Salyards with Louisville Metro Police says he believes the solution is simple.
He says a prescription should be required to buy pseudoephedrine, one of the main ingredients to make meth.
Patrick Fogarty agrees, he says if something doesn't happen soon things will get even worse.
“The next step is figure out how to cook this stuff you are going to always figure out a way that is the crazy part,” he says.
Last year task forces in the Appalachia region saw a 300% increase.
State police say they spent $1.3 million in 2009 to remove the 716 reported meth labs.
