Washington, D.C. - The bipartisan co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine announced the passage of major anti-meth legislation today as part of the Patriot Act conference report.  The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act was attached to the Patriot Act that passed the Senate today, meaning the legislation only needs the president’s signature to become law.

“This legislation sends a powerful message that the federal government is starting to treat our nation’s methamphetamine problem with the same urgency and commitment that our state and local governments and grassroots groups have been treating it with for years,” said Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA). 

“I applaud the inclusion of this important legislation in the Patriot Act conference report.  Meth is more dangerous than any other drug on our streets today. The swift bipartisan efforts to pass these measures reflect the seriousness of the situation and I am confident the law will resolutely address this epidemic on multiple fronts,” said Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA).

“By signing this bill, President Bush and Congress struck a blow against a different kind of terrorist, those who produce and sell meth.  This bill will help reduce supply and stiffen existing penalties for those who deal in this dangerous drug,” Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) said.

The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act is the first-ever comprehensive anti-meth legislative to be signed into law.  Previous legislation proposed by individual Members of Congress provided stand-alone solutions to single aspects of the meth problem.  The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act takes a big picture approach to the problem by attacking every angle of methamphetamine trafficking – precursor control, international controls, environmental regulation, and criminal prosecution. 

“I’m pleased that we came up with this bi-cameral, bi-partisan resolution that recognizes that we need to deal with the meth problem on two fronts—domestically and internationally,” said Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA).

“This legislation will have a huge impact on the supply of meth in our country,” said Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), Chairman of the House Drug Policy Subcommittee. “It is the result of numerous hearings by my subcommittee and collaboration with members of the Congressional Meth Caucus.  I was pleased to partner with the Meth Caucus to see this bill through final passage,” said Souder.

• Among other provisions, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act will:
  
• Prohibit individuals from purchasing over 3.6 grams in a day or 9.0 grams in 30 days of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine products (precursor drugs)
  
• Require that precursor drugs be sold from behind the counter or kept in a locked cabinet
  
• Require that individuals show I.D. and sign a log book upon purchase of precursor drugs
  
• Impose quantity restrictions and reporting requirements on mail order, Internet, and “flea market” sales of precursor drugs
  
• Eliminate an existing loophole in federal law that allows unlimited sales of pseudoephedrine pills as long as they are sold in “blister packs”
  
• Toughen federal penalties for methamphetamine traffickers and smugglers as well as those who cook or deal methamphetamine in the presence of children 
  
• Require reporting of major meth precursor exporters and importers, and would hold them accountable for their efforts to prevent diversion to meth production
  
• Require information from importers on the “chain of custody” from foreign manufacturer to U.S. shores of precursor chemicals.
  
• The Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine is made up of 140 Members of Congress and is co-chaired by Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT), Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA), and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA).  The Caucus works to raise national awareness of the dangers posed by meth abuse and to advance strong public policy to fight against meth manufacturing, distribution, and use.

www.house.gov/larsen/meth

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