HENRY URGES ACTION ON METH BILL

Illegal use of pseudoephedrine used to make methamphetamine has
increased by 12,000 percent since 1995, law enforcement officials said
Wednesday. That huge jump in meth production has prompted legislators
to consider curbing the sale of the decongestant tablet, and Gov. Brad
Henry is urging lawmakers to fast-track the bill.

"I would like to see the bill passed and be on my desk by next week,
or at the very least within two weeks," Henry said.

The governor said House Bill 2176, which would limit the amount of
pseudoephedrine tablets to be sold at licensed pharmacists and require
a signature and a photo identification, would serve as a model for
other states to follow.

"This is a true opportunity for us to protect our law enforcement
officers, our children and our citizens from this dangerous and highly
addictive drug," Henry said." For years we have legislated around the
edges of this problem, but HB 2176 has the potential to make a
significant dent in the number of illegal meth labs in our state."

Law enforcement data shows convenience stores sell substantially more
pseudoephedrine than some soft drink products.

One example was a store in Newcastle that sold $4,000 of Coca-Cola
products, but $70,000 worth of pseudoephedrine between January 2002
and July 2002.

"This is the most important bill that will come out of this session,"
said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Chief Gary Adams.

Another provision of the bill will allow judges to deny bond to
chronic meth offenders. Henry said this provision was aimed at
protecting law enforcement and giving them a tool they don't already
have in combating the problem.

"Oklahoma law enforcement put their lives on the line every time they
stop someone for speeding or walk into a house to dismantle a lab,"
Henry said. "In December we lost Highway Patrol trooper Nikky Green,
who was shot and killed after stopping a car suspected of being a
mobile meth lab. We can't allow that kind of tragedy to happen again."

HB 2176 now heads to the full Senate then goes back to the House for
approval of the amendments added in Senate committee.