STUDENTS, LAWMAKERS, JOIN FORCES AGAINST METH

Anti-Drug Bill Has Support In House

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- At an anti-drug rally attended by about 1,000 people
yesterday, a leading House lawmaker vowed swift passage of a bill to crack
down on methamphetamine.

Gathering at the Frankfort Convention Center, the crowd urged the House to
follow the Senate's lead last week in passing Senate Bill 63, which would
make it easier to convict alleged makers of the drug and curb access to a
key ingredient.

House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins told those at the rally that he was
there on behalf of House leaders who plan to "immediately" start moving the
bill.

"We're going to do everything we can to eradicate this terrible problem,"
said Adkins, D-Sandy Hook.

After the event, Adkins said the House may amend the Senate bill, but
expects to pass similar legislation by early next month.

The bill restricts the sale of many pseudoephedrine-containing cold and
allergy medicines. Pseudoephederine is a key ingredient in methamphetamine.
The bill also requires buyers of pseudoephedrine products to show a photo
ID and sign a log.

Also under the legislation, anyone caught with at least two meth
ingredients or pieces of equipment to make it, and a demonstrated intent to
make the drug, could face a meth-manufacturing conviction. Current law
requires all items necessary for the drug's manufacture to be present.

The rally opened with a film montage of children hurt or killed by meth.

"What matters is the kids," said U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, R-5th District. "It
is time for this madness to stop."

Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who has launched an addiction recovery initiative,
also attended the rally. So did Attorney General Greg Stumbo, who has filed
a bill to restrict the influx of prescription pills into Kentucky via
Internet sales.

The crowd was filled with police and fire officials from 68 jurisdictions,
as well as students from Eastern Kentucky.

"We just want them to know we're going to get rid of drugs in Clay County,
that they're not going to be exposed to it anymore," said Cookie Henson, a
Clay County High physical education teacher who escorted about 100 students.

The bill faces opposition from the ACLU of Kentucky, which argues its
provisions are too restrictive, especially those lowering the number of
ingredients or meth-related items one must have in order to be charged with
manufacturing.

"I think probably most Kentuckians have coffee filters and Sudafed," said
ACLU of Kentucky Executive Director Beth Wilson.

The Kentucky Retailers Federation also has raised concern about the bill,
saying the photo ID and log requirements are too restrictive for pharmacies
and other stores.