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Senate
approves proposal to regulate medicine used in methamphetamine
production
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[NOV. 7, 2005]
SPRINGFIELD -- Methamphetamine producers will soon have a difficult time procuring
the ingredients they need to manufacture the deadly narcotic if
legislation recently approved by the General Assembly is signed into
law, said state
Sen. Larry Bomke,
R-Springfield.
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Supported by Attorney General Lisa Madigan,
Senate Bill 273 would limit access to cold medicines containing
the powder form of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient used to make
methamphetamine, by requiring the drug to be kept behind the
pharmacy counter. The bill also requires individuals to show
identification and provide a signature when purchasing the
medication and prohibits anyone 18 or younger from buying medicine
that contains pseudoephedrine. "Illinois has become a haven for
methamphetamine producers, and the problem is only getting worse --
particularly in our rural communities," said Bomke, a co-sponsor of
the legislation. "I believe this measure will significantly impact
methamphetamine producers' ability to obtain the ingredients they
need to make the drug and cut down on the number of drug
manufacturers in this state. This policy change was a long time
coming, and I'm pleased the General Assembly stood in strong support
of Senate Bill 273."
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 Bomke said that the legislation was modeled after an Oklahoma
initiative that reduced methamphetamine labs by 80 percent within
six months of the law taking effect. Similar legislation in Missouri
and Iowa has also proven successful in preventing the manufacture of
methamphetamine. Bomke explained that, unfortunately, the success of
these enhanced laws in surrounding states has resulted in a flood of
out-of-state drug producers, who were drawn to Illinois because of
its less-restrictive drug laws.
"It appears that simply requiring medication that contains the
powder form of pseudoephedrine to be held behind the pharmacy
counter really does make a considerable difference," Bomke said.
"I'm hopeful, if this legislation is signed into law, Illinois will
have the same experience as surrounding states and see a noticeable
decline in the number of methamphetamine producers that have been
poisoning our rural communities."
Senate Bill 273 now proceeds to the governor for final
consideration.
[News release from
Sen. Larry Bomke]
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