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For Immediate
Release
6/28/06
CONTACT:
PA
Senate Republican Communications
(717) 787-6725
Robbins' Anti-Methamphetamine Measures Pass Senate
"Pennsylvania Combat Meth Initiative" Advances to House
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) announced that two bills he authored -- combating
methamphetamine, or meth -- were unanimously passed by the Senate this week.
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Senate Bill 1120 would make it a felony of the third degree --
punishable by up to seven years imprisonment -- for operating a meth
lab in the presence of a child.
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Senate Bill 1121 would create "Meth Watch," a joint program between
law enforcement and retailers, training clerks to be aware of
individuals purchasing meth ingredients in large amounts. It also
educates and warns consumers of meth and the illegal purchase of
meth ingredients.
Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, is a powerful stimulant
that affects the central nervous system. Amphetamines were originally
intended for use in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers and have
limited medical applications. Methamphetamine production is a problem
whose popularity is spreading because most of the ingredients used to
make it can be purchased in local stores. The drug is "cooked" in
home-made labs and is highly addictive and deadly.
"As the
epidemic of methamphetamine continues, not only locally, but throughout
the nation, I am pleased that the Senate passed this legislation to
provide law enforcement and retailers additional tools to combat this
deadly drug," said Sen. Robbins. "The truth is the threat goes beyond
the actual user -- kids are neglected, or worse, exposed to the harmful
effects of meth labs. Senate Bill 1120 provides a deterrent, or
punishment, for putting children in harms way."
"Through the Meth Watch program, law enforcement and retailers work
together to increase awareness about the diversion of legal products --
ingredients to make meth -- and assist local communities in addressing
the meth problem," said Robbins.
These
bills are a part of the "Pennsylvania Combat Meth Initiative," a broader
seven-bill package unanimously passed by the Senate:
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SB
1115 would add the definition of "precursor substance" to the
Controlled Substance Act. This would allow the Secretary of Health
to add chemicals to the current list of controlled substances by
regulation if they are found to be used in the production of drugs.
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SB
1116 would limit the sale of pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in
many over-the-counter cold medicines.
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SB
1117 would make it a criminal offense to operate a meth lab and
impose additional penalties for operating a lab near a school or day
care center.
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SB
1118 would make it a specific violation of the Controlled Substance
Act to possess an ephedrine-related substance with the intent to
manufacture methamphetamine.
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SB
1119 would allow courts to assess costs on a defendant convicted of
an offense involving a meth lab and assess environmental clean-up
costs against the defendant.
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