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Legislation regulates sale of cold
medication to thwart methamphetamine production
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[NOV. 22, 2005]
SPRINGFIELD -- As a result of
legislation signed into law by the governor on Nov. 16,
methamphetamine producers will have a difficult time obtaining the
ingredients they need to manufacture the deadly narcotic, said state
Sen. Larry Bomke,
R-Springfield.
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Bomke, co-sponsor of
Senate Bill 273, explained that the new law will limit access to
cold medicines containing the powder form of pseudoephedrine, the
main ingredient used to make methamphetamine. The law requires the
medication to be kept behind the pharmacy counter, and consumers
will be required to show identification and provide a signature when
purchasing the medication. The measure also prohibits anyone 18 or
younger from buying medicine that contains pseudoephedrine. "I
have no doubt that this new law will make a difference in
discouraging the manufacture of methamphetamine, and Illinois will
see a reduction in the number of drug producers in this state,"
Bomke said. "This is a common-sense law that was a long time coming,
and I applaud the governor for signing Senate Bill 273."
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 Bomke said that the new law 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 drew drug producers to
Illinois because of its less restrictive drug laws.
"Obviously requiring medication containing the powder form of
pseudoephedrine to be held behind the pharmacy counter can make a
considerable difference," Bomke said. "I hope this will have a
positive impact on the fight against methamphetamine, but if even
one drug producer is discouraged from manufacturing methamphetamine
as a result of these new restrictions, then the law has been
effective."
[News release from
Sen. Larry Bomke] |
