PANEL PASSES METH LEGISLATION

With supporters saying it will stem an epidemic and save lives, a
Senate committee passed legislation Monday restricting purchases of a
decongestant that contains an ingredient for making methamphetamine.
"We keep declaring war on drugs. Here's a chance to fight a battle,"
said Sen. Dick Wilkerson, author of House Bill 2176.

If enacted, the bill would be the first of its kind in the nation,
said Wilkerson, D- Atwood, a former deputy director of the Oklahoma
State Bureau of Investigation.

It would make pseudoephedrine tablets a schedule V substance that can
be sold only at licensed pharmacies.

Oklahomans wanting to buy it in tablet form would have to show a photo
identification and sign for the drug.

Consumers would be restricted to buying no more than 9 grams, or the
equivalent of 12 boxes of the drug, over a 30-day period.

Pharmacies would be required to keep a log of the purchasers.

Gel caps and liquids used as decongestants would be
exempt.

Law officers want the product restricted because meth users and
manufacturers are buying large amounts of it to make meth.

States that already have some limits are North Dakota, Arkansas,
California, Missouri, Oregon, Washington and Arizona, she said.

The Senate Business and Labor Committee passed it 10-1 and sent it to
the full Senate.