Blunt Statement on Senate Committee Passage of Meth Bill

BLUNT STATEMENT ON SENATE COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF METH BILL
July 28, 2005

WASHINGTON --- Southwest Missouri Congressman and House Majority Whip Roy Blunt today celebrated Senate Judiciary Committee passage of the Talent-Feinstein Combat Meth Act. Blunt, the sponsor of the companion legislation (HR 314) in the House, pledged to push for consideration of the legislation in committee and on the House floor in the fall.

"Access to common cold medicine can be a meth cook's dream come true," said Congressman Blunt. "The most effective way to fight the meth epidemic is to make it harder for criminals to get the key ingredient in the production of this deadly drug. At the same time, this legislation ensures that honest people can easily get the medicine they need."

"Senators Talent and Feinstein have written a great bill, and I'm pleased to see the Senate committee pass it so quickly. I will push for swift consideration on the House side of the Capitol this fall," Blunt continued. "The meth epidemic is one of the single most disturbing trends facing the interior of the nation today, and it's only getting worse as we crack down on our borders. This is one of those issues that require a national solution."

Pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient in meth, is found in many over-the-counter cold and sinus medicines such as Sudafed, making it easy for meth cooks to purchase or even steal the ingredient in large quantities. Blunt's bill would classify pseudoephedrine as a Schedule V drug so that products containing pseudoephedrine would be kept behind a pharmacy counter and sold only by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. The legislation creates alternate procedures for stores without pharmacies and stores in rural areas. The drugs would still be available without a prescription but would limit the amount that can be purchased each month and require the patient's signature.

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