PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS 'COMBAT METH ACT'

On Thursday, President Bush signed the "Combat Meth Act," a nationwide
law requiring that all medications containing pseudoephedrine, a
substance used in the production of methamphetamine, be placed behind
store counters, lessening accessibility and creating a paper trail for
those that abuse.

"This is a major victory for people in neighborhoods across Missouri
and the country who are threatened by meth," Sen. Jim Talent said.

Missouri passed a similar law last year.

"This will create thousands fewer labs and addicts and fewer children
will be contaminated," Talent said.

Under the bill, consumers would be limited to 3.6 grams, or about 120
cold pills, per day, and 9 grams, or about 300 pills, per month.
Buyers would need to show photo identification and sign a logbook.

Based on statistics from other states, Talent said there will be
anywhere from a 70-90 percent decrease in meth labs.

"You will not see as many fires caused by (cooking) meth, you won't be
passing vans cooking meth, and children aren't going to be exposed to
meth by their parents cooking meth," he said.

Stone County Sheriff Richard Hill said that after Missouri passed its
meth law, he saw a decrease in meth labs. But the inaccessibility in
Missouri created an influx of imported meth from Mexico, he said.
Officials said the federal law will address the problem because there
will be changes in reporting and certification procedures for
countries exporting and importing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and
other drugs.

Law enforcement, local and state governments will receive $99 million
per year for the next five years under the bill's Meth Hot Spots program.

Recently, a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration reported that Missouri, along with 18 other states,
ranked higher than the national average for people seeking treatment
for methamphetamine.

"What everyone needs to know is that they shouldn't try meth even
once; not one time," Talent said. "This drug is the worst drug that
there ever was and you will not control (the drug). It will control
you."