Fighting The Production Of Meth

Press Release

Fighting the Production of Meth

Congressman Bart Gordon introduced bipartisan legislation today (June 17th) that would further the fight against the production of methamphetamine. The legislation would strengthen requirements established by the federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act, which went into effect in 2006.

"Even with the 2006 law, our country still has a huge meth problem," said Congressman Gordon. "In Tennessee alone, which leads the Southeast in the number of meth labs, 1,300 labs are expected to be seized by the year's end. We need to do what we can to further reduce access to meth ingredients - this bill will do just that."

Gordon introduced the bill, the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act, with Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). It would require all retailers selling ephedrine or pseudoephedrine products - the main ingredients commonly used to make methamphetamine - to self-certify that they have trained all store personnel about federal requirements related to the sale of these products.

The 2006 law required products with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to be placed behind a pharmacy counter and limited the amount of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products that one person can buy in a single day or month. A signature and proof of identification was also required to purchase these products.

"Over the years, the Drug Enforcement Agency has had trouble identifying non-compliant stores - with the number of stores estimated to be in the tens of thousands," said Congressman Sensenbrenner. "This legislation will make it tougher for individuals to make meth, and therefore make it even more difficult to buy meth."

The Gordon-Sensenbrenner bill would require distributors of products with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to sell only to retailers who are registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to sell controlled substances. It would require the DEA to create an online database where distributors can check if retailers have certified that staff has been properly trained. The bill would also clarify that a retailer who negligently fails to file self-certifications, as required, can face civil fines.

The Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act has already passed the Senate with bipartisan support. Gordon and Sensenbrenner are committed to getting the bill through the House and to the President's desk.

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