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Kentucky anti-meth bills target cold medicines

By Cory Stark - bio | email | Twitter
Posted by Rich Miller - email

A Kentucky Senate committee is trying to stop the manufacture of methamphetamine by approving a bill that would mean some drug offenders would not be able to buy certain cold medicines for five years.

Legislators say making it more difficult for drug offenders to purchase popular cold medicines containing ingredients to make meth is an important step to reduce production. However, some law enforcement agencies aren't so sure.

"The thing that makes it such a prevalent drug, so many of the other ingredients to manufacture the drug can be purchased at the neighborhood grocery or store," said Stu Recke of the Kentucky State Police.

To make getting those ingredients more difficult, the Kentucky Senate has proposed a bill that would prevent anyone convicted of drug possession and trafficking offenses from purchasing some cold medicines that contain ephedrine and pseudophedrine. The prohibition would last five years from the person's incarceration, parole or probation.

"I just think this is a needed additional step," said 7th District Senator Jerry Rhoads.

Recke says it's only a start.  "I just don't know if it is strong enough. But anything we can do to curb this epidemic, law enforcement would be greatly appreciated."

Kentucky State Police busted a record 716 meth labs last year.  Recke says a better preventative law is needed.

"Oregon has made pseudophedrine a scheduled drug, meaning you have to obtain an prescription order to purchase it. That might be something we need to look at also."

Proposed House Bill 497 would do just that.

"I don't think that is the better approach," Rhoads said.  "That bill would require prescriptions for all cold medicines that contain pseudophedrine, and we don't need to go there."

Rhoads says the bill punishes the innocent buyer. He says the Senate bill is a much better approach.

House Bill 497 has not yet been heard by a house committee.  The Senate Bill, on the other hand, is much further along.  It was passed on Wednesday and now moves on to the House.

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