|
"Methamphetamine destroys
lives, families and entire communities," Blagojevich said. "By
signing this law, we’re making it much harder for meth manufacturers
to find the ingredients they need to make meth. We need to do
everything we can to fight the scourge of meth -- by cutting off the
supply of what’s needed to make it; increasing penalties for those
who make, sell and use meth; and giving law enforcement officers
more resources to fight meth. Today is an important step in the
fight." "In January 2005, Illinois had one of the toughest laws in
the nation when it came to restrictions on the sale and placement of
pseudoephedrine and ephedrine," the attorney general said. "However,
since that time, our bordering states passed even stricter laws,
which made Illinois an attractive target for meth makers looking to
buy the ingredients they need to make their drugs. Signing of this
legislation into law means that Illinois will never be a weak link
in a chain of states working to put meth makers out of business. It
brings law enforcement and retailers together in a united front, to
make it harder for criminals to complete their shopping lists."
As part of the effort to research and draft the bill, the
attorney general held three law enforcements summits across the
state.
Senate Bill 273, the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act, was
sponsored by Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, and Sen. William Haine,
D-Alton. The new law makes pseudoephedrine and ephedrine Schedule V
controlled substances, thereby requiring that all products
containing those substances must be kept behind pharmacy counters
or, if in a convenience package, in locked cabinets. Customers who
wish to purchase those products must be at least 18 years old and
show photo identification, as well as sign a log with their name,
address, the date and time of the transaction, and a product
description. The logs will remain confidential but must be kept for
at least two years and must be made available to law enforcement
upon request.
Additionally, no more than 7,500 milligrams of pseudoephedrine or
ephedrine may be purchased in a 30-day period, and no more than two
packages of medicines containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine may be
purchased at one time.
Retail stores that sell these products will be required to train
their employees about these new restrictions. Violation of these
controls by a worker is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense,
a Class 4 felony for a second offense and a Class 1 felony for a
third or subsequent offense. The store or pharmacy itself would be
subject to a $500 fine on the first offense, a $1,000 fine on the
second offense within three years at the same location and a $5,000
fine for the third offense within three years at the same location.
Customers who violate the act, including purchasing more than two
packages at a time or more than 7,500 milligrams in a month, are
subject to a Class B misdemeanor for a first offense, a Class A
misdemeanor on the second offense and a Class 4 felony for a third
or subsequent offense.
Meth, a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous
system, is derived from ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, commonly used
in cold medicine.
Statistics show that meth is a growing problem in Illinois. In
1997, the Illinois State Police seized 24 meth labs. By 2004, that
number increased substantially to 959. The drug has quickly become
the most dangerous and perplexing problem for law enforcement,
particularly in central and southern Illinois.
"This new law will help prevent Illinois from becoming a haven
for meth makers," said Bradley, who sponsored the legislation in the
House. "Thanks to the governor quickly signing this bill, Illinois
is now at the forefront in the fight against meth. Most importantly,
Midwestern states have now presented a united front against meth and
sent a message to meth makers that their destructive activities will
not be tolerated in Illinois or a neighboring state."
[to top of second column in this article] |
 "This is the culmination of a three-year effort that has
increased penalties for the possession or manufacture of meth,
increased penalties for injuries to innocent children or other
people, and mandates procedures which will dry up the easy
availability of the key ingredient used for the making of meth,"
said Haine, sponsor in the Senate. "Law enforcement, prosecutors and
judges now have the tools to smash the meth makers."
The new law takes effect Jan. 15, 2006.
The governor, working with Attorney General Madigan, has taken a
number of steps to help law enforcement fight the growing problem of
meth in Illinois communities:
-
Creation of meth response teams:
In May, the governor and the Illinois State Police activated six
teams designated for meth response. They are responsible for
investigating, seizing and dismantling clandestine drug
laboratories all over the state. The teams provide more
efficient training, equipment deployment and medical monitoring
costs. The teams also increase response coverage throughout the
state, increase the number of methamphetamine laboratories
seized and reduce the high cost of waste removal from
methamphetamine labs.
-
Establishment of a dedicated meth
statute:
Senate Bill 562, the new Methamphetamine Control and
Community Protection Act -- initiated by the attorney general,
sponsored by Haine and Bradley, and signed by the governor --
went into effect on Sept. 11. In addition to creating a new
statute for meth-related crimes, the law created a new offense
targeting those who buy or attempt to buy, transport or assemble
meth-making materials other than pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or
anhydrous ammonia, as well as other provisions, such as
requiring that those who manufacture meth in places like hotels,
motels, apartment buildings or condominiums face mandatory
prison time and making it a crime to dispose of meth
manufacturing waste.
-
Helping Illinois attack the meth
problem: The governor signed a number of other pieces of
legislation relating to meth production and its effect on
Illinois communities. They include the creation of the
Methamphetamine Abusers Pilot Program at the Franklin County
Juvenile Detention Center and Franklin County Jail and the
creation of the Methamphetamine Law Enforcement Fund, which will
provide money to local law enforcement for costs associated with
fighting meth. Additionally, a law that takes effect on Jan. 1,
2006, directs the Department of Child and Family Services,
Illinois State Police, and State Board of Education to develop a
protocol to deal with the growing problem of children who are
exposed to meth manufacturing or use.
-
Grants to local law enforcement:
The governor continued the support of local multijurisdictional
narcotics units fighting drug crimes in 61 Illinois counties by
earmarking more than $3.5 million in federal funding to these
groups. The groups, also known as metropolitan enforcement
groups and drug task forces, create individualized strategies to
address the drug problems facing each county, including meth
challenges.
[News release from the governor's
office]
 |
