LEGISLATOR MODELS BILL ON STATE'S METH LAW

A month-old Oklahoma law aimed at reducing methamphetamine production is
being used as a model for national legislation that will be introduced today
in Washington. U.S. Rep. Brad Carson, D-Claremore, said he will introduce
the "Ephedrine Alkaloids Regulation Act of 2004," a law that would make the
tablet form of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine controlled substances.

The drugs, legally used in cold and sinus medicines, also are used as
precursor chemicals for methamphetamine production nationwide. Since 1991,
the Drug Enforcement Administration has seized more than 38,500 meth labs in
48 states. That number does not include labs seized solely by local and
state agencies.

In Oklahoma, methamphetamine lab seizures increased 12,000 percent between
1994 and 2003. Law enforcement agencies estimate that there were from 30,000
to 60,000 meth labs in operation in the state last year.

"Methamphetamine is a scourge that is ravaging families in our state and
country and shattering lives," Carson said.

Carson said though many states have laws aimed at controlling the sale of
pseudoephedrine, there is no consistency. He said without a uniform standard
limiting access to the drugs, control of the epidemic will remain elusive.

Asking for a new classification Under Carson's proposal, which is co-
sponsored by U.S. Rep. John Sullivan, R- Tulsa, pseudoephedrine and
ephedrine would be classified as Schedule V controlled substances, meaning
they could only be bought at licensed pharmacies.

States still have some leeway in establishing rules for the sale of Schedule
V drugs.

Oklahoma's law -- House Bill 2176 -- requires pseudoephedrine to be sold
only by licensed pharmacies. Additionally, consumers are required to show
photo identification, sign for the drug and are restricted to buying no more
than 9 grams, or the equivalent of 12 boxes of the drug, over a 30-day
period, and pharmacies must keep a log of the purchases.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Director Lonnie
Wright said since the law went into affect April 7, the department had 62
reported meth labs compared to the usual 100 labs reported each month.

Wright expects that decline to continue, but said a national law would
prevent producers from crossing state lines to buy ingredients.

Gel caps and liquids used as decongestants are exempt under both the
Oklahoma law and the proposed national law.