How many degrees of separation?
By: Nichole
Published On: 3/15/2005 2:00:00 AM
Q. What do Kilgore and Methamphetamine labs have in common?
A. They both rely on KING PHARMACEUTICAL to keep their operations running.
Kilgore?s TOP donor, who has given Kilgore a WHOPPING $250,000 since 10/02 (including $100,000 in 2004), is none other then Mr. Big Pharmaceutical himself, John Gregory, the founder of King Pharmaceuticals. This is company is based, not out of Virginia, but out of Tennessee.
Why is this a big deal? Because Kilgore started "Meth Watch" a program "designed" to combat the growing methamphetamine problem in Virginia, in 2004. When Kilgore took office in 2002, 5 meth labs were seized; in 2004, 78 were seized.
So now we have "Meth Watch," which is a VOLUNTARY program because Kilgore says that "Well you never want to require that individuals participate in certain programs." (Source: WSLS NewsChannel 10, Jan 25, 2005).
This program has worked well in all states where it is mandatory, Kansas and Washington State are fantastic examples of a mandatory program.
Why would Kilgore not want to make it mandatory?
How does one make meth? The first choice ingredient is ephedrine but since that is illegal to purchase, "drug dealers use pseudoephedrine, found in many over-the-counter medicines." (Source: http://www.kci.org/meth_info/making_meth.htm), which can be found in AT LEAST SIX products that KING PHARMACEUTICAL produces.
So I ask you, what stake would a millionaire in Tennessee have in a Virginia election, that he donates such a hefty amount to Kilgore?
Hmmmmm....good question. Maybe the Kilgore campaign can explain.
As a side note, Kilgore?s next highest donor has only given him $90,000, 65% less then John Gregory.
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