Robbins' Anti-Methamphetamine Measures Pass Senate

"Pennsylvania Combat Meth Initiative" Advances to House

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) announced that two bills he authored -- combating methamphetamine, or meth -- were unanimously passed by the Senate this week.

Senate Bill 1120 would make it a felony of the third degree -- punishable by up to seven years imprisonment -- for operating a meth lab in the presence of a child.
Senate Bill 1121 would create "Meth Watch," a joint program between law enforcement and retailers, training clerks to be aware of individuals purchasing meth ingredients in large amounts. It also educates and warns consumers of meth and the illegal purchase of meth ingredients.

Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Amphetamines were originally intended for use in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers and have limited medical applications. Methamphetamine production is a problem whose popularity is spreading because most of the ingredients used to make it can be purchased in local stores. The drug is "cooked" in home-made labs and is highly addictive and deadly.

"As the epidemic of methamphetamine continues, not only locally, but throughout the nation, I am pleased that the Senate passed this legislation to provide law enforcement and retailers additional tools to combat this deadly drug," said Sen. Robbins. "The truth is the threat goes beyond the actual user -- kids are neglected, or worse, exposed to the harmful effects of meth labs. Senate Bill 1120 provides a deterrent, or punishment, for putting children in harms way."

"Through the Meth Watch program, law enforcement and retailers work together to increase awareness about the diversion of legal products -- ingredients to make meth -- and assist local communities in addressing the meth problem," said Robbins.

These bills are a part of the "Pennsylvania Combat Meth Initiative," a broader seven-bill package unanimously passed by the Senate:

SB 1115 would add the definition of "precursor substance" to the Controlled Substance Act. This would allow the Secretary of Health to add chemicals to the current list of controlled substances by regulation if they are found to be used in the production of drugs.
SB 1116 would limit the sale of pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in many over-the-counter cold medicines.
SB 1117 would make it a criminal offense to operate a meth lab and impose additional penalties for operating a lab near a school or day care center.
SB 1118 would make it a specific violation of the Controlled Substance Act to possess an ephedrine-related substance with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
SB 1119 would allow courts to assess costs on a defendant convicted of an offense involving a meth lab and assess environmental clean-up costs against the defendant.

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-1322