Pubdate: Sat, 12 Nov 2005
Source: Abingdon Argus (IL)
Copyright: 2005, Eagle Publications
Contact:  http://www.eaglepublications.com/abingdon.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3159
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH LAW PASSES STATE ASSEMBLY

A methamphetamine control bill that would put Illinois' laws in line
with those of surrounding states has moved past the Illinois General
Assembly to the governor's office.

Senate Bill 273 would among other things require that anyone buying
medicine that contains pseudoephedrine to present identification and
sign a logbook. It passed the state House on Oct. 26 and the Senate on
Tuesday.

"Meth is an illegal and highly addictive drug," Sen. John Sullivan
(D-Rushville), one of many sponsors of the bill, said in a press
release. "It is necessary to add additional restrictions to the
purchase of meth ingredients to limit its manufacture."

Illinois law already requires any medication containing
pseudoephedrine as its only active ingredient to be sold behind the
counter. But because of tougher laws in Iowa and Missouri, many
residents of those states have been crossing into Illinois to purchase
large amounts of pills. Several arrests have been made over the past
few months related to purchases at Macomb stores.

"Last month I attended a Law Enforcement Summit on methamphetamine
with Attorney General Lisa Madigan, law enforcement from Illinois,
Missouri and Iowa and area retailers," Sullivan said. "The discussion
centered on assessing the impact that stricter laws in states
bordering Illinois have on the production and abuse of meth in our
state.

"Now, with the passage of this legislation, Illinois will be
comparable with our bordering states, therefore not attracting meth
manufacturers to come to Illinois to purchase supplies."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin