They keep going and going ...

The clandestine production of methamphetamine, aka "cystal meth" or "speed," is at an all-time high in Texas, according to the state police, who now are proposing a change in the law to address an ingredient involved in the witches brew that is concocted to cook up the stuff.

The ingredient in question is the Lithium metal contained your everyday alkaline battery.

The metal, it seems, is removed from the battery and immersed in kerosene, mineral spirits, or similar liquid. Said lithium is used as a "catalyst" when anhydrous ammonia is added to Ephedrine or Pseudo-ephedrine tablets. This is the preferred method used by speed lab chemists in the northern half of Texas.


So the Department of Public Safety wants to amend the state's health & safety code, and say that Lithium is a "precursor" to the production of methamphetamine, which will help prosecutors fighting the war on drugs.

Now you know.