Posted on 05/10/2007 5:02:46 AM PDT by oblomov
WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), both members of the Senate Anti-Meth Caucus, today introduced the Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act of 2007. This legislation will promote the use of electronic logbook systems by pharmacies to better track the sales of ingredients that could be used to make meth.
Most of the chemicals necessary to produce methamphetamine are readily available in household products or over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines such as pseudoephedrine. Current law restricts the amount of these ingredients that can be purchased at one time by a single person. Some meth producers have been able to get around restrictions by "smurfing" - purchasing illegal amounts of meth precursor drugs by traveling to multiple pharmacies and buying small quantities at each.
"'Smurfing' now accounts for at least 90% of the pseudoephedrine used to make meth in Illinois," said Durbin. "Electronic logbook systems provide a more effective method of tracking the purchases of these drugs. With the proper resources, pharmacies can keep their logbook information electronically and share that information with law enforcement. The information can then be used to identify and prosecute meth manufacturers attempting to beat the system."
"The Midwest has been hit especially hard by meth and the ability to buy the ingredients over the counter," Grassley said. "Despite the positive impact the Combat Meth Act has had on lowering the production of home cooked meth, people are exploiting loopholes that allow one to smurf between different pharmacies. An electronic logbook will be a tremendous asset for local law enforcement and businesses as they work to end the devastating impact of meth on our communities."
Today's legislation revises the technical logbook requirements found in the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act ("Combat Meth Act"). Enacted in 2006, the Combat Meth Act limits the amount of meth precursor drugs - drugs that can be used to make meth, such as pseudoephedrine - that a customer can buy and requires pharmacies to keep written or electronic logbooks recording each purchase of the drugs. This approach has led to a drop in the number of meth labs discovered in many states, however, meth producers are beginning to adapt to the current restrictions through the practice of "smurfing".
"For years, methamphetamine has been plaguing communities in Illinois and throughout the nation," said Durbin. "Law enforcement agencies are forced to devote a large percentage of their time to finding, busting and cleaning up meth labs - taking away precious resources that should be used for crime prevention. Law enforcement experts agree that electronic logbook systems are an important tool in our efforts to combat meth. We can, and should, do more to help make these logbook systems work."
Today's legislation
Creates a federal grant program that would provide money to states to create or enhance electronic logbook systems; Assists law enforcement in combating the meth epidemic by improving the effectiveness of the electronic logbook systems; Awards federal grants on a priority basis to encourage states to design logbook systems that will be effective in stopping smurfing across state and county lines; and Preserves existing privacy safeguards that are currently found in federal and state law. This bill has been endorsed by numerous organizations, including the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National Narcotics Officers' Associations' Coalition, the National Criminal Justice Association, the National Sheriffs' Association, the Major County Sheriffs' Association, the National Troopers Coalition, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Association of Countries, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
On March 15, Durbin and Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) introduced another meth-related bill, the Family-Based Meth Treatment Act of 2007 which seeks to improve comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment for methamphetamine addiction. On April 25, Grassley and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced legislation to increase federal penalties for drug dealers who entice children with candy flavored meth.
Sorry we rejects in IL keep electing this traitor/ashat. You would not believe how the Dems here (Lisa Madigan et al) have Communistically taken away the ability to purchase any medication easily. Instead of grabbing what you need off the shelf, you have to wait in long lines and have no control over what the yoyo behind the counter gives you.
Last time I wanted Wal-Mart’s version of Ny-Quil the clerk gave me a package with an expiration date only 6 months from the date of purchase. I told her ‘screw that,’ I’ll do without. Wal-Mart has stopped distributing most of their cheaper drugs in IL stores. Why bother??
This Big Brother crap is actually making us sicker. And those who want to make meth are going to get what they need anyway. Just like someone who wants to kill will get a gun even in a “gun-free” zone.
It’s a joke. Durbin’s a joke...and worse.
In MI you have to show ID and sign in on a log book.
I refuse, so I just suffer.
If enough people do the same the market will solve the problem.
Which is nuts. But then you get reported to Homeland Security now if you have more than 3 withdrawals from a savings account in a month. I got a nice letter from the bank about that yesterday/sarcasm.
Hmmm, and illegal Mexicans are everywhere. I wonder if there is a connection? /sarcasmoff
Hadn’t heard about bank acct. monitoring! Is that everyone or just those on the meth log book?
I was kind of amused. Someone in Washington is going to have to look at all my purchases at Lowes.
Senate Anti-Meth Caucus?
I see the problem right there. It will take away funding from the Senate Anti-Toenail Fungus Caucus.
Interesting, I wasn’t aware of that.
I wonder if they know they are giving MX smugglers a pay raise?
That's as far as I had to read to know more government intrusion into innocent lives and/or more loss of rights will be coming.
They've been monitoring bank accounts for a very long time. The magical number that triggers various reporting requirements (and penalties for not doing so) is $10,000, but the banks will report anything they see as out of the ordinary for your account.
The feds have also been able to look into your account for a long time without a warrant, and later Patriot Act-related legislation expanded that to almost any organization you deal with using money.
Are you sure that is Homeland Security and not banking regulators. I know savings accounts have very restrictive limitations on the number of withdrawls you can have per month. Mine has 6 per month total and 3 in person (I think). If you go above that, then the feds say that is really a checking account instead of a savings account on which different rules apply and you risk losing your account. This might just be some silly left over from depression era banking laws to keep people from making a run on the bank.
I do remember a threshold being 15k or 10k but hadn’t heard about the rest.
ping
There have been proposals that require you to register if you want to buy baking soda as well. I =really= hope that one passes.
It would point up rather nicely that drug warriors have become nothing but hysterical nanny state idiots.
Considering that most meth nowadays is made in Mexico and smuggled here, DON'T YOU THINK IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO VASTLY IMPROVE BORDER SECURITY, YOU TWITS?
The letter said Homeland Security, but it was from the bank.
Really odd in that I have taken a bunch of money out before and never had an issue.
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