Senator Boxer: Keep up the Pressure Against Meth

October 17, 2007

I have joined the legislative effort to expand the fight against the manufacture of methamphetamine.  I am cosponsoring the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act, S.2071, by Senator Dianne Feinstein. 

Senator Feinstein’s legislation would build on the successes of the Combat Meth Act which became effective last year.  That legislation placed restrictions on the sale of chemicals – ephedrine and pseudoephedrine – used to make methamphetamine, along with requirements that retailers restrict access to these drugs and keep records about their purchase.  Since then, local law enforcement officials and the Drug Enforcement Administration have used this legislation as a tool to reduce methamphetamine production.

Since the passage of the Combat Meth Act, the number of meth labs has decreased by about 40 percent nationwide.  With fewer labs in production, fewer children risk exposure to deadly chemicals, and fewer neighborhoods face the dangers of chemical exposure or explosion from these labs.

But while the trend is in the right direction, too many neighborhoods still have methamphetamine labs in production.  Our new bill seeks to bring more retailers of the chemicals used to make meth into compliance.  It would require all retailers to certify that they are in compliance with the law.  If they fail to do so, retailers would not be able to purchase pseudoephedrine products from distributors and could be subject to civil fines and penalties.

Like any conflict, the one against methamphetamine and the damage that it does to our neighborhoods, is not won in a single battle.  We have learned the steps that need to be taken to make the Combat Meth Act more effective.  I am very pleased to be teamed with Senator Feinstein in this fight and pledge to you that I will work to see that this legislation becomes law.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

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