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?!
The drug war has failed. Time to move on. Maybe even reinstate the Bill of Rights, but let's not get too crazy all at once.
Guess what? It won't. It's just a pain - brought to you by Big Stupid Government and their ridiculous War on Some Drugs.
See my tagline and open your eyes.
Hmmm, the reaction over at that thread didn't seem much more receptive than here.
The problem with that is you'll have people taking antibiotics for things like a Cold and the Flu neither of which it will help. Overusing antibiotics is why we're seeing these superbugs, usually staph, that only the strongest and newest antibiotics can kill.
Other drugs have potential side effects and only someone with medical training will know if it is safe for a person to take or mix with other medications.
Pseudoephedrine is (IMHO) of questionable value anyway. I took that crap for years due to sinus problems that defied any and all solutions.
I took Sudafed (or any generic equivalent) to open up the nasal passages, which helped me breathe, but it also caused terrible drainage into my throat, which meant that upon awakening, I found my sinus starting to open up, but my throat was damn near blocked. Very scary sensation. Went to a ear/nose/throat specialist who told me I had sinus problems (DUH) combined with sleep apnea. Wanted me to spend the rest of my life on a night-time breathing machine. I said 'uh uh'.
ANYway. I stopped taking the pseudoephedrine compounds, started taking Olive Leaf Extract combined with large amounts of Vitamin C, E and B-50. Within a few months my sinus were like brand new, I haven't taken a Sudafed since, once in a while I get some congestion from dust, ragweed, etc., and one Benadryl will clear that right up.
So I wouldn't miss Sudafed one bit. And if it put the meth and crank dealers out of business, all the better. I still chafe at the idea however, that this is one more example of government 'protecting us from ourselves'.
"And they'll still figure out a way to get it."
When sudafed is outlawed, only outlaws will have sudafed.
The rest will have clogged sinuses.
That slogan still makes perfect sense to me.
I wonder how high the profit margin is to gearup, fund the manpower and enforce newly illegalized drugs? Gov't doesn't just absorb costs quietly and have basically allowed the enforcement agencies to become agencies for profit.
This extremely dangerous approach to law enforcement has been accepted as normal for way too many decades. Legal or illegal is another argument. 'For Profit' has become the argument on both sides of drug laws.
Curing a problem, ending a cycle, turning the page, always includes a visit to the unemployment line. Until that problem is fixed, hide the aspirin, that's next.
IMHO :-)
I'm writing a letter to Steve Ogden right now.
This is only remotely related to the War on Drugs. It is, in a sense, because it's an irrational extension of it. It's like a ban on salt because it can be used in the manufacture of drugs, despite the fact that many of us nacho-eaters would die without it.
this is just plain stupid. This over the counter drug works great when you have a cold, especially the 24hr version.
This is the nanny state in action. Anything that might possibly hurt you should be prohibited, HOWEVER IF THESE POLITICIANS NEED THIS DRUG THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT. Remember how the congress critters all were able to get cipro for anthrax?
I think it's a good idea. Crystal Meth destroys lives. I'd be willing to buy my sudafed one packet at a time. I have no doubt it helps, why else would these folks be driving to Texas?
If we ban water, then no drugs could be made. Still on board? How far are you willing to go?
I wonder if the general public would realize that inconveniencing people like this with some tar, feathers, and a free ride out of town on a rail is a public service?
(My first reaction is to tar, feather, and tie them to a rail track, but why be violent?)
I don't want to go sign a bunch of papers to get it when I could just toss it in the basket along with the rest of my groceries simply because some cretins in the backwoods are cooking meth with it.
The aim is to prevent mass purchases of legal cold remedies with pseudoephedrine to cook meth. Under legislation adopted in a number of states, including California, the allowed limit is 9 grams. Obviously that's more than most people use to fight off a winter cold. When you consider meth addicts buy thousands of cold pills to cook the drug, any restriction's helpful. And meth labs are toxic waste dumps that have to cleaned up with costs running into the thousands of dollars. States that have imposed tough purchase rules have seen the number of meth lab raids fall by over 80%. Something to think about in a problem in which taxpayers ultimately end up footing the tab.
"Here in Oklahoma, we have to buy items like Sudafed back at the Pharmacy and sign for the item -- one to a customer! "
Limiting purchases to one or two packages per person at any given time is a reasonable compromise which doesn't inconvenience law abiding people.
Having to sign for legal susbstances goes way overboard, and sets up a dangerous precedent.
IMHO, always look at precedent...at the slippery slope of regulations, especially the well intentioned ones.
The rules are aimed at home-grown labs. Most of the meth in this country comes from professional Mexican drug rings. Its an addiction more potent than cocaine or heroin. Users live just for the highs.
Yeah, that's true.
Yep - the #1 sinus medication available (ingredient-wise - pseudoephedrine) to be banned? Ugh...
I guess we should ban spray paint, gasoline, and other inhalants that kids huf.
Let's also BAN alcohol in all medications - there are those who intentionally misuse those too.
Where does it end? Everything under the sun can and is misused in some way. So let's penalize the average Joe that just needs some relief from a stuffy nose.....
How about some logical laws to fight illegal drugs - let's institute the death penalty for dealing/manufacturing the drug....
And we're going to make a dent in meth by restricting ordinary citizens from OTC drugs they've lawfully used for years?
GET REAL. If there's money to be made, the meth will be made.
No, I didn't miss it. I just thought it was outweighed by the two previous sentences.
And if I'm making calls??? The grassroots is irritated. Very.
I've hosted too many coffees at the house for local/state politicians for them to get my dander up.
/john
Vigo officials adopt meth ordinance
By Howard Greninger/Tribune-Star
December 22, 2004
Vigo County commissioners on Tuesday voted 3-0 to adopt a countywide ordinance that controls the sale of products used to make illegal crystal methamphetamine.
Now, Terre Haute Police Chief George Ralston said he hopes the City Council will adopt the measure for use in the city, possibly acting on the ordinance in January. That way, Terre Haute police will be empowered to write citations.
Under the county law, county sheriff's deputies would have to write a citation in the city, said County Attorney Tim Fears. Vigo County Sheriff Jon Marvel said he plans to deputize the 12 members of the Vigo County Drug Task Force, many of which are city police officers, enabling them to issue citations.
Ralston said he thinks the measure is a proactive attempt to curb the making of illegal methamphetamine.
"Most of the inmates in the county jail are locked up on drugs [charges] and most are on meth," Ralston said. "This gives us a little teeth and puts them on notice that we will track them. I hope it also puts other counties on notice" and encourages them to adopt a similar ordinance.
"I think this will be a real ripple effect and shows you can do something about it," Ralston said.
Vigo County Sheriff Jon Marvel said the ordinance he introduced is the first of its kind in Indiana. The county ordinance will take effect 30 days after a public notice is advertised, possibly on Feb. 1.
"This will help us identify people who are buying these products" to make illegal meth, Marvel said. "There is nothing that will eliminate this problem until the state and federal government helps out."
Retailers who sell products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate or phenylpropanolamine must obtain a county permit.
The retailer must obtain a picture identification, name and address of individuals buying products containing these substances and submit a report every 30 days to the county Prosecutor's Office.
If a business fails to get an annual permit, it can be assessed a $250 penalty. Violation of the ordinance carries a penalty up to $2,500, with each day considered a separate offense.
State Rep. Trent Van Haaften said he plans to introduce a bill to the Indiana General Assembly in January to restrict the sale of these products. Van Haaften, D-Mount Vernon, served with Marvel on a state meth task force that made recommendations for state action.
"With counties such as Vigo stepping forward in this effort, it is my hope that Indiana will do the same as other states and take the necessary steps to slow down the meth epidemic," Van Haaften said Tuesday. "Well done to the Vigo County commissioners!"
************ There's more. Under Indiana law, you can be arrested if you possess any one item used to make Meth, if the police think you would.
Under this new county ordinence, if you buy any of these drugs, your name is sent to the prosecutors office and remains on a list indefinitely
Granted, my county is leading Indiana in Meth busts, but after following these stats for several years and doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that we don't have more meth, we have better cops.
We have about 110,000 in the county. Indianapolis has about 1,000,000.
We had about 110 meth busts last year. Indy had 3.
Something about that isn't right.
This law scares the hell out of me. All it takes is one crooked cop, or one person with a grudge, and you are stuck with a rap you cannot shake.
By the way, I now stick to chicken soup for a cold.
But I guess this means we're one up on Texas.
Naw, just limit the amount that can be purchased without a prescription.
Sounds fishy to me, when all they have to do is get several friends/customers/whoever to buy the maximum amount and turn it over. What's your source for this statistic?
Of course we understand, Senator.
Law-abiding citizens have not rights. Their job is to shut up and do as they are told.
And pay taxes, at whatever rate you decide, and however much it should be increased every year.
No "inconvenience" is to great for the public to bear as long as it gets you reelected.
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