Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Federal panel approves anti-meth bill

National law similar to Oregon's would limit cold medicines
The Statesman Journal


BY PAMELA BROGRAN
Gannett News Service
July 29, 2005
WASHINGTON -- Congress entered the fight against methamphetamine on Thursday when a key committee voted to back legislation restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine, the drug's primary ingredient.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Sens. Jim Talent, R-Mo., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that would require common cold products containing pseudoephedrine to be sold behind pharmacy counters.
Under the bill, consumers could purchase only 7.5 grams -- about two packages -- of cold products containing pseudoephedrine per month and would have to show photo identification and sign a log with each purchase.
"We can finally get ahead of the meth cooks and keep this drug out of our neighborhoods and schools," Talent said.
The federal law would match Oregon's rules, which already require decongestants with pseudoephedrine.
However, the Oregon Legislature now is debating an even tougher rule, which would make such drugs, including Sudafed, available only with a doctor's prescription.
The measure passed the House overwhelmingly and has headed to the Senate.

It's already starting.

Prohibition on drug medications.

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