The Meth Caucus Applauds Passage of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
The Meth Caucus Applauds Passage of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act
Provisions incorporated into H.R. 3199, which reauthorized the Patriot Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House passed H.R. 3199, the USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Act, which included provisions to fight the growing methamphetamine abuse epidemic in the U.S. The Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine (Meth Caucus) worked with Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) and other House leaders to create comprehensive meth legislation that was then attached to the Patriot Act conference report.
The Caucus Co-chairs, Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA), and Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT), issued the following joint statement:
"Today, we struck a blow against those who prey on society by producing and selling meth, a drug that is destroying lives from California to Maine. Meth abuse is an epidemic in the U.S. The provisions passed today are key to stopping this scourge on our communities.
"The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act provides a comprehensive strategy for anti-meth enforcement and makes it harder for the bad guys to use legal ingredients to make meth. Along with all the members of the Meth Caucus, we have worked to educate our colleagues about meth abuse and pushed for comprehensive federal anti-meth legislation. This bill is a great start, but we have a lot of work to do. As a Caucus, we will continue to push for better laws and better enforcement until we have eliminated the meth epidemic."
Highlights of meth-related provisions include:
Restrictions on Retail Sales of Precursor Chemicals:
* Repeals the federal "blister pack exemption" that currently allows unlimited sales of pseudoephedrine pills;
* Classifies pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine, the major meth precursor chemicals, as "Scheduled Listed Chemicals" (SLCs);
* Imposes a daily purchase limit of 3.6 grams, and a monthly limit of 9.0 grams, for SLCs;
* Requires all SLC products to be sold from behind the counter, or kept in a locked cabinet;
* Requires purchasers of SLC products to show I.D. and sign a log book; and
* Imposes new restrictions on mail order, Internet, and "flea market" sales of SLCs.
Import and Wholesale Regulations:
* Authorizes import and domestic manufacturing quotas of SLCs to ensure no oversupply leads to diversion; and
* Closes a loophole in the regulation of the wholesale "spot market" for SLCs.
International Monitoring:
* Requires reporting of major meth precursor exporters and importers, and holds them accountable for their efforts to prevent diversion to meth production;
* Requires information from importers on the "chain of custody" from foreign manufacturer to U.S. shores of precursor chemicals; and
* Authorizes funding for cooperative efforts with Mexico to stop meth production there.
Other Provisions:
* Toughens federal penalties against meth traffickers and smugglers;
* Toughens penalties against persons who cook or deal meth in the presence of children;
* Requires updates from the Department of Transportation and the EPA about whether meth lab chemical byproducts are covered by appropriate environmental regulations;
* Makes improvements to the drug courts program to ensure greater accountability, and authorizes new funding for the program;
* Authorizes the Meth "Hot Spots" grant program that provides assistance to state and local agencies in dealing with meth labs and trafficking; and
* Authorizes new grants to help states assist drug-endangered children, as well as addicted women with children.
The Meth Caucus is made up of 135 Members of Congress. Among other goals, the Caucus works to raise national awareness of the dangers posed by meth abuse and to advance strong public policy to fight against meth manufacturing, distribution and use.
http://calvert.house.gov/pressreleases.asp?ARTICLE4024=10530&PG4024=2