THE OREGON METH CRISIS AND THE LEGISLATURE

Oregon State Representative Dennis Richardson (R-Central Point)
Discusses The Meth Epidemic In Oregon And Legislation Dealing With It
From A Father's And A State Representative's Perspectives

Salem, Oregon - Sometimes when my adult children get together, they
will laugh and tease me with what they affectionately refer to as
"Dadisms". "Dadisms" are what my kids viewed as lectures I intended
as words of wisdom and sage advice--repeated many times during their
growing years.

Some of the "Dadisms" referred to taking drugs.

I taught my teen-agers if you never start something, you never have
to worry about stopping it...that drugs may make someone feel good
for awhile, but the price is addiction and slavery, and it just isn't
worth it. I told my teens that I never want to try cocaine because I
might like it too much, and that could destroy me and our family.

I taught each of my nine children that they had infinite worth and
potential, and they should take nothing into their bodies that could
end up controlling them. Finally, I told them that we are all
creatures of habit and we should work on making good habits and
avoiding bad ones.

All of this sounds pretty basic, and it is. I still, however, believe
these lessons are good advice for myself, for my family and for
everyone. Unfortunately, thousands of Oregonians fail to heed such
advice and suffer broken lives by drug addiction.

In Oregon, today's most dangerous drug is Methamphetamine. (For a
brief description of Meth, click here.
(http://www.dennisrichardson.org/what_is_meth.htm) For a summary of
facts and figures on Meth use, click here.
(http://www.dennisrichardson.org/methfacts.htm) )

Meth is a siren's song that seduces her prey with promises of
pleasure, energy, heightened senses, sexuality and stamina.

In reality, Meth addiction is a cruel taskmaster that enslaves
adults, abuses children, destroys families and burdens society with
the high price of picking up pieces of shattered lives.

If a picture is worth a thousand words then take a look at the
"before and after" photos of a woman who traded her well-being for
Methamphetamine. (click here
(http://www.estatevaults.com/bol/images/%20%20before%20and%20after.jpg)

Before this legislative session ends, 90 legislators will strive to
agree on legislation dealing with Oregon's Meth epidemic.

For months, the Chairs of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Wayne
Krieger, and the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Ginny Burdick, have
studied Oklahoma and other state Meth laws, have heard days of expert
testimony, and have reviewed dozens of legislative bills proposed to
address Oregon's Meth crisis.

After coordinating the House and Senate's Meth efforts, the final
drafts of two Meth Bills are complete.

The Senate is proposing S.B. 907, and today, my Subcommittee on Human
Services and Public Safety reviewed, funded and passed House Bill 2485.

H.B. 2485 has three main thrusts: 1. Managing Meth's dangerous toxic
waste; 2. Controlling Meth's dangerous chemical components; and 3.
Providing tools for treatment of Meth addicts. (click here to see the
bill (http://www.leg.state.or.us/05reg/measpdf/hb2400.dir/hb2485.1ha.pdf)

1. Toxic Waste. Manufacturing a single pound of Meth may results in
six to ten pounds of toxic waste.

The toxic waste includes: acid vapors, corrosive liquids, solvents,
heavy metals, etc. The toxicity of Meth lab residue can cause death
or disfigurement if breathed or comes in contact with skin or other membranes.

Illegal Meth manufacturing operators generally dispose of toxic Meth
lab residue by illegal dumping which severely pollutes the
environment and creates dangerous conditions for unsuspecting hikers
and children.

H.B. 2485 makes dumping toxic Meth manufacturing residue a Class 3
Felony. It requires landowners to "abate" the dangerous condition
within 180 days of discovery or be liable for the failure to do so. A
"good Samaritan" provision holds harmless from liability anyone who
in good faith reports what is suspected to be criminal activity
relating to Meth and its manufacture.

2. Meth Chemical Components. One of the dangers of Meth is the ease
of access to its ingredients. Today Meth ingredients generally
include chemicals that can be bought at any Wal-Mart. Such
ingredients include: ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which are found in
many over-the-counter cold medications. In addition, red phosphorous
(obtained from matches), plus battery acid, draino, liquid
antifreeze, lantern fuel, lye, and last but not least, anhydrous
ammonia, which comes from certain fertilizers. Sound appetizing?
Certain of these elements and chemicals are called "precursors". They
are used in making methamphetamine and must be regulated if we are to
interrupt the supply lines for Oregon's "Mom and Pop" Meth lab operations.

H.B. 2485 makes owning and illegally trafficking in Meth making
equipment and obscure "precursors," such as lithium metal and sodium
metal, a Class C Felony. More controversial is the provision that
adds ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to the Schedule III Controlled
Substance list. At first I objected to the idea of requiring folks to
call their family Doctor in order to have their favorite cold medicine.

Things got quiet when asked to suggest an effective alternative way
to get these dangerous Meth making materials out of the hands of
local lab operators. I supported placing the relevant medications
behind store counters. I then learned that "Mom & Pop" lab operators
are tenacious people who go from store to store buying, bartering or
stealing pseudoephedrine medicines, until they have enough to make
another batch of Meth.

The clincher for me was when I learned that nearly 75% of the
pseudoephedrine medicines consumed in Oregon today are by Meth lab
operators, not sickly citizens with runny noses.

Drastic times require drastic measures, so if it takes getting
pseudoephedrine medicines off the shelves to significantly cut down
on Meth production in Oregon, then so be it.

Before anyone frets over the loss of Oregon life as we know it,
please refer to the following vast list of cold/flu medications that
will remain over-the-counter, because they do not have in them
pseudoephedrine or ephedrine: (Click Here
(http://www.dennisrichardson.org/nonmeth_meds.htm) For those who must
have medication with these Meth making precursors in them, a quick
call to your Doctor for a telephone prescription will allow your
pharmacist to provide the chemical relief cold remedies to which you
have become accustomed.

3.Tools for Treating Meth Addicts. Breaking the Meth habit is not
easy, and our law enforcement agencies and judiciary system need
additional tools at their disposal.

One of the most effective strategies is the use of drug courts.

Drug courts are special county circuit courts that focus the judge's
power of incarceration on creating a plan to help the addict change
his or her life. If addicts are willing to follow the requirements
set down by the judge, the addicts have a chance to avoid both losing
their families and serving long prison sentences.

When drug courts can partner with "Crisis and Relief Nurseries," the
chances of breaking strong drug addictions and keeping families
together are further improved. (Note: Southern Oregon has a serious
Meth addiction problem, and if all goes well this session, Jackson
County will soon have its own Drug Court and Medford will have its
own Relief Nursery.)

H.B. 2485 provides the threat of losing Food Stamp benefits for drug
addicts, so long as the loss will not cause excessive hardship on
family members. It also provides $2.5 million in "drug court grants"
to assist local communities in effectively using drug courts to fight
against Meth addiction. The bill has many more provisions, but the
above information is intended to provide an overview of this
important legislation.

In conclusion, H.B. 2485 is not a panacea.

It is a step in the right direction toward a calculated,
evidence-based battle plan to help fight Oregon's war on Meth. It may
take a generation to win this war, and legislation like H.B. 2485 can
help. But, the real victories will take place in strong, healthy
families where parents teach their children by both precept
("Dadisms") and by example--that addictions are bad, that addictions
rob individuals and families of happiness and freedom, and that good
habits should be made and bad ones avoided.

Sincerely,

Dennis Richardson

State Representative, Speaker Pro Tempore

Contact Rep. Richardson at rep.dennisrichardson@state.or.us