Posted on 01/10/2005 6:48:57 PM PST by Dog Gone
AUSTIN - A state senator who wants to eliminate from the market drugs that contain mainly pseudoephedrine has introduced a series of four bills for returning lawmakers.
Under the legislation by Sen. Craig Estes, no one would be able to buy drugs like Sudafed in Texas. But he said consumers could still buy other congestion remedies containing the decongestant, as long as it is mixed into capsules and cough syrups.
"We hope the general public will realize that a little inconvenience will go a long way," Estes, R-Wichita Falls, told the Scripps Howard Austin bureau in Monday's editions of the Abilene Reporter-News.
In Oklahoma, passage of state legislation last spring that banned store sales of popular medications like Sudafed and Claritin-D that contain pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in methamphetamine, was credited with reducing the number of methamphetamine labs during the first six months of 2004.
Police and prosecutors have been "inundated by meth abusers and cookers" who have crossed into Texas after Oklahoma outlawed over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in methamphetamine production, Estes said.
Restricting sales of common cold remedies that contain the illegal drug's key ingredient could aid in the fight against drugs, said Capt. Doug Kunkle of the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin.
"It will really reduce the amount of meth they will cook here," Kunkle said. "Anything that can bring us relief ... will be helpful."
DPS officials and other law officers, in a 12-month period that ended in May 2004, busted 934 labs. That number represents a 167 percent increase over a 12-month period ending in December 2002.
"This is drug that is terribly addictive and leads to death and destruction of family and property," Estes said. "It's an overwhelming problem."
The 79th Legislature opens Tuesday
Here in Oklahoma, we have to buy items like Sudafed back at the Pharmacy and sign for the item -- one to a customer! Our legislature took that tactic in trying to reduce this drug ingredient that the criminals use for meth labs. It is a pain but worth it if it puts a dent in the meth labs.
More sacrifices on the part of the average Joe, for a WoD that the govenrment doesn't even take seriously, and doesn't have the authority to pursue if it did.
Yes, I'm for punishing lawabiding citizens too! I think we should ban cars next, I'll bet the car theft rate takes a dip after a law like that is passed!
Will we see the day when meth addicts lobby for legislation to permit the importation of sudafed from Canada?
That's a good busy-body government type for you. Stand back while we make the world safe. Sheesh, and he's a Republican too.
This one rubs me the wrong way. I'd be punished, along with millions of other folks in this state, in order to make it harder for 10,000 of our less moral citizens. And they'll still figure out a way to get it.
All this will do is make the meth lab chemists do is find another source for chems needed.
Man these people just love controlling other peoples lives. Is it so hard to find decent leaders to elect?
I know it is. We have Bush as our president and he is actually the republican candidate.
Yeah. Somehow I don't think this will put the hurt on the meth trade.
This has nothing to do with Bush, but I guess if you want to take a shot at him, any story will do.
/john
In all honesty, this story is probably overplayed. We introduce a zillion bills each session, and most never see the light of day, much less get passed.
Seeing how this has nothing to do with President Bush, your cheap shot is totally inane.
I believe they should make all drugs over the counter, and just have information packets sold with the medications.
I hate taking my kids to the damned Doctor just to get a prescription for something like an ear infection, when we know what's wrong with them.
You want to bet the same legislators who want to ban EVERYTHING the rest of us use, don't include themselves in any of it. It wouldn't surprise me, in the least, if some of these people were drug ABUSERS or ALCOHOLICS.
If you noticed the other day when Boxer was having a crying fit over Pres. Bush that she is a heavy smoker according to her smoker's lips. I wonder if she smokes in her GOVERNMENT office?!
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