LAWMAKERS CONSIDER ANTI-METH LEGISLATION

Bill seeks limits on drug's 'precursors'

Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing for anti-methamphetamine legislation modeled
after a law in Oklahoma that led to similar rules in Iowa and talk of such a
move in Minnesota.

The debate in Madison continues today when a Senate committee holds a
hearing on Senate Bill 78, dubbed the "Crackdown on Meth Act."

Authored by state Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, R-River Falls, the bill seeks to
restrict precursors to meth - the chemicals used to make the drug - and
stiffen criminal penalties for meth makers and marketers.

The recipe for meth includes the ingredient pseudoephedrine, a decongestant
found in Actifed and Sudafed cold and allergy remedies.

"As our neighboring states take steps to restrict access to pseudoephedrine,
it becomes even more critical for Wisconsin to act quickly so that we do not
become an island open to meth users and manufacturers," Harsdorf said.

Many in law enforcement and social services say there is an epidemic of meth
use in western Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota.

The proposed legislation is based on a 2004 Oklahoma law that classified
products as a Schedule 5 drug if their main component is pseudoephedrine.
Such a designation would require them to be kept behind the counter, and
buyers would have to show an ID and sign for them.

Oklahoma's law has been credited for an 81 percent reduction in meth labs.
Iowa enacted a similar law last week, and Minnesota lawmakers are
considering their own.

After hearing testimony today, the Wisconsin Senate Committee on Health,
Children, Families, Aging and Long-term Care could vote on the bill. Its
next step would be a hearing by the full Senate. If approved, it would go to
the Assembly, where a similar bill authored by Rep. Kitty Rhoades, R-Hudson,
has not yet had a hearing.

"The hearing will be very important as we listen to testimony and determine
what people are willing to support," Harsdorf said.

Those who cannot attend the hearing but want to provide information can call
Harsdorf toll free at 1-800-862-1092, or e-mail her at
sen.harsdorf@legis.state.wi.us