CHPA understands the scope and complexity of the methamphetamine problem and has been at the forefront of educational and legislative initiatives to prevent the diversion of legitimate precursor chemicals to the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine, also known as "meth," is an illegal and highly addictive drug. Pseudoephedrine, a safe, effective, and widely-used over-the-counter decongestant, can be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Legislative Initiatives
The federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA), which went into effect September 30, 2006, mandates that pseudoephedrine products be kept behind the retail sales counter, imposes sales limits on products containing pseudoephedrine, and requires that retailers keep sales logbooks. CHPA was pleased to lend its support to this initiative. In 2008, the “Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act” was enacted to facilitate the use of electronic logbook systems to identify more effectively those who are illegally stockpiling pseudoephedrine, which can be used in the production of methamphetamine.
The restrictions imposed by the CMEA have proven to be effective in the fight against methamphetamine. The U.S. Department of State’s 2008 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report indicates that these domestic controls are at least partially responsible for a continued decline in 2007 of the number of small-scale domestic producers of methamphetamine.
CHPA supports pending federal legislation that would take additional steps to curb illegal methamphetamine production.
- Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act
On July 27, 2010, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed H.R. 2923, the “Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act,” introduced by Representative Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.). This legislation would require retailers of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products to verify that they have met the requirements of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. It is the companion bill to S. 256, introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), which passed the Senate unanimously in June 2009. H.R. 2923 now moves to the full U.S. House of Representatives where action is likely sometime in September. A letter of support from CHPA can be found here.
Educational Efforts to Prevent Meth Abuse
In addition to sales and placement restrictions, experts report that reducing the demand for this addictive drug is critical to any anti-meth effort. CHPA was pleased to assist in the development of an innovative program with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and DEA to help communicate the health consequences of meth use to young people, thereby reducing its demand.
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