Combat Methamphetamine Act of 2005 Watch: Bill Dies with Patriot Act Extension

The ravaging dental effects of Methamphetamine

Reuters has Senate puts off anti-meth measure

Popular bipartisan legislation to try to halt the spread of methamphetamines already devastating some rural U.S. communities was delayed until next year by the Senate on Wednesday.

The legislation would make it harder for meth “cooks” to obtain common ingredients contained in non-prescription cold medicines. It would also toughen penalties for methamphetamine traffickers and those who cook or deal meth with children present.

The U.S. House of Representatives had included the meth provisions and a port security measure in its legislation updating the anti-terrorism Patriot Act. But the Senate wants to work further on the Patriot Act because of civil liberties concerns and that approach meant that the drug and port security provisions had to be dropped.

What happened?

The Senate Democrats decided to play politcs, sabotaged the U.S. Patriot Act and doomed the Combat Meth Act which was attached as a rider.

California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, one of the sponsors of the meth provisions, secured a pledge from Republican and Democratic Senate leaders to take up the meth bill in January or February. Numerous lawmakers in both parties want Congress to act on the highly addictive drug, which has become a law enforcement, mental health and environmental scourge of many communities.

The bill would limit monthly purchases of common cold medications containing ingredients, such as pseudoephedrine, used to make meth and require that pharmacies sell these common medicines from behind the counter or keep them in a locked cabinet. They would still be available without a prescription but stores would keep records of sales.

Under the legislation, importers and exporters of meth ingredients or “precursors” would have to report on their shipments to prevent them from being diverted into meth production.

The drive to combat meth has had bipartisan support in both the House and Senate as law enforcement and treatment advocacy groups have called for more federal action. Some lawmakers have also pressed for more funding and research into treatment.

So, how many more Americans will become addicted? and…..

How many more Americans will DIE as a result of Patriot Act games by the Senate Democrats?

Another example of politics over policy…….

Senator Feinstein and the other Senate Democrats (including a few Republicans e.g Sununu, Snow) should be embarassed and ashamed….

Stay tuned……

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The Methamphetamine Files