Posted on 03/24/2005 6:20:44 AM PST by joshhiggins
DES MOINES --- Gov. Tom Vilsack declared a Statehouse victory in the war against methamphetamine Tuesday, tempered by the hard reality that the drug's grip on Iowa remains strong.
Vilsack signed a bipartisan bill on the Capitol steps placing tough new limits on the sale of pseudoephedrine --- a common cold and allergy medication that's also a critical meth ingredient. Supporters predict the limits, which take effect May 21, will help shut down hundreds of secret labs where "cookers" mix a volatile array of chemicals to make meth.
Iowa law enforcement agencies seized a record 1,427 labs in 2004.
"This is an important, significant step," said Vilsack, joined by lawmakers, state officials and law officers. "It's one of the most significant steps we've taken. But there's a lot more work that has to be done."
Vilsack signed the bill three months after meeting with a group of Mount Pleasant residents whose families have been shaken by meth abuse. They urged him to push for the pseudoephedrine limits, and on Tuesday they stood with the governor.
"It's nice to know somebody hears," said Susie Snyder, who has two children struggling with meth addiction. "I have a daughter-in-law who is a teacher. I have grandchildren growing up in the community. I belong to a congregation. Somebody there hurts. It affects all of us."
Under the bill, only pharmacies would be allowed to sell cold, flu and allergy remedies containing the solid, tablet form of pseudoephedrine, although a prescription is not needed. Purchases would be limited to no more than 7,500 milligrams in a month and consumers will be required to show a valid government ID and sign a logbook.
Other retailers would be permitted to sell liquid and gel cap medications that contain less than 360 milligrams. Logbook and ID requirements would apply, and buyers would be limited to one package per day.
Backers hope keeping the products under lock and key and requiring an ID will stop meth makers from buying or stealing ingredients. But the law also makes it harder for law-abiding Iowans to fight a cold.
"This is a tough issue, a difficult issue, a complicated issue," Vilsack said. "There are literally thousands of Iowans who are going to be impacted by this bill."
Grocers contend the law will force small, rural stores to stop selling cold medicines, even liquid and gel caps.
And the meth battle is far from over.
State officials concede 80 percent of the meth inflicted on Iowa is brought in by out-of-state traffickers. Drug control agents hope cutting the number of homegrown meth labs will allow them to direct personnel and resources to stop smugglers.
Next step call out the Iowa National Guard and seal the borders against these smugglers. We are serious about stopping Meth in Iowa.
Thanks Willtax. Now it will be harder for all of us to get allergy meds.
It is hard to believe that this sorry POS guvner we have did something almost constructive for a change. He and Tom Harkin are two of a kind.
I don't believe this law is going to be "constructive" in any way. It is more likely to get some pharmacist killed in a pharmacy holdup.
I think this is feel good legislation, so the politicians can say "See we did something to fix the problem, sorry for the inconvenience."
I don't believe this law is going to be "constructive" in any way. It is more likely to get some pharmacist killed in a pharmacy holdup.
I think this is feel good legislation, so the politicians can say "See we did something to fix the problem, sorry for the inconvenience."
I've got to lay off the pseudoephedrine, It's got me posting double.
if it gets the point of a pharmacy being held up then it sounds like the laws is doing its job by depriving these killers of their ingredients . i wish we had the same law here in alabama . they busted 65 meth labs last year in my county alone
Let's not kid ourselves... having a dog sniff everything coming across the Mississippi bridges might do a lot to curb the crank, but that would inconvenience the transportation industry and get the civil libertarians in a lather. Instead, we'll throw these dumbass constituents a bone that will only inconvenience people with colds.
Wipe your runny nose until it hurts, Iowa, and remember: it's for the children.
As long as we have a revolving door judicial policy on meth makers and distributors, I don't see how more regulation will help, but at least this might help the pharmacies' bottom lines.
I would like to have this type of law passed in Florida. Fort Lauderdale and Miami are exploding with meth and people are doing nothing.
It's totally feel-good legislation. Complete with Willtax and his hoopla. I can't stand that guy.
Your probably right. Hard to believe Vilesack would do anything constructive.
What incoherent blather ... if 80% is from out of state, they should already have redirected and resources to stop smugglers.
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