"I commend the members of the House for unanimously voting to pass this critical legislation that will address the Methamphetamine problem in the commonwealth," Governor Rendell said. "Meth addiction is a reality that cannot be ignored. Families and communities, including those in rural counties, are being ripped apart by the scourge of Methamphetamine, and we need to put a stop to it."

As part of his fall agenda, Governor Rendell in September proposed a legislative package focused on providing property tax relief and protecting Pennsylvania's families, seniors, children and communities.

"With this passage by the House, I now urge the Senate to join them in taking swift action to help us address this problem," Governor Rendell added. "No one walking down the street should have to worry that they will be hurt by an explosion caused by criminals who are cooking Methamphetamine or worry that their children are getting fast and easy access to this highly addictive drug."

"Right now, ingredients to manufacture Methamphetamine are easily accessible. If we want to win the battle against this destructive drug, we need to put these products behind the counter," Governor Rendell said.

The Governor's Methamphetamine control proposal would:





* Move products like cold and allergy medicines containing


pseudoephedrine, as well as any products containing ephedrine, behind


the pharmacy counter.


* Limit distribution of products with pseudoephedrine or ephedrine to


pharmacists or licensed pharmacy technicians.


* Limit how much of such products a person can buy in one month to 7.5


grams. This is more than enough for one month and constitutes about 250


pills.


* Require the purchaser to sign a written log showing the date of


transaction, the name of the person, and the name and amount of the


substance purchased.


* Require the purchaser to show the pharmacist government-issued


identification.


* Restrict the sale of products with pseudoephedrine or ephedrine to


anyone under 18.








None of these restrictions would apply to products dispensed per a valid prescription from a physician, or to pediatric medicine that is in liquid form.

Because it is more difficult (but not impossible) to make Methamphetamine from non-pediatric liquids and gel caps containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine, these products do not need to be dispensed by a pharmacist, but because they can be used to make Methamphetamine, they would have to be stored behind a counter to which the public does not have access, and the other provisions of the bill would apply to these products.

Amendments to HB 1607 would make it a first-degree misdemeanor for anyone to knowingly violate these limits or to knowingly enter false information in the log. The proposal also targets drug couriers by making it a second-degree felony to knowingly transport in a vehicle ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with knowledge that the substances will be used to make methamphetamine.

Oklahoma and Iowa have passed laws similar to those in HB 1607 and have seen 90 percent and 80 percent reductions in seizures due to Meth consumption and other Meth incidents respectively.

According to an Aug. 8 Newsweek article, more than 12 million Americans have tried the drug and law enforcement officials have broken up methamphetamine-making labs in every state, including in several rural Pennsylvania communities like Towanda and New Cumberland.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his website at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.