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News (Media Awareness Project) - US: Anti-Meth Bill Shelved For Holidays
Title:US: Anti-Meth Bill Shelved For Holidays
Published On:2005-12-23
Source:Herald Democrat (TX)
Fetched On:2008-01-14 20:42:38
ANTI-METH BILL SHELVED FOR HOLIDAYS

WASHINGTON - A comprehensive anti-methamphetamine bill that enjoyed broad
support was put on the shelf until next year when Congress adjourned this
week for the holidays.

The measure was close to final passage but was attached to a controversial
anti-terrorism bill, the USA Patriot Act, that was blocked in the final
days of the session.

The anti-meth provision would have placed a 3.6 gram limit - about 120
pills - on daily purchases of cold medicines that contain ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine, ingredients that can be used to make meth.

It would require retailers to sell the medicines, which include Sudafed,
NyQuil and Benadryl, behind store counters.

It also would require companies to report shipments of ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine into the United States in an effort to stop ingredients
from heading to meth superlabs.

The legislation would also authorize a "Meth Hot Spots" program to steer
additional federal grants to local authorities, increase funding for drug
courts and toughen federal penalties against meth traffickers.

The Patriot Act, a collection of wiretap and search laws initially passed
after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was reauthorized in the House but
blocked in the Senate.

Democrats and four Republicans voted to delay the bill saying they were
concerned it did not contain sufficient civil liberties protections for
innocent Americans who might get caught in its net, or strong enough
requirements for investigators to justify their targes.

Senators compromised to renew the act for six months. But the
anti-methamphetamine provisions were dropped in the process.

Senate leaders late Wednesday promised they would revive the anti-meth bill
when Congress returns to session early next year.

"We will address those very early when we come back in January or
February," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., calling the
anti-meth bill an "important issue."

It was unclear Thursday how the House might choose to proceed.

Lawmakers will seek a new way to move the bill forward, either as a
freestanding measure or attached to another bill, said Jim Kaiser, a
counselor for the House Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources
Subcommittee.

"We were under the strong presumption that it would pass," Kaiser said.

Representatives of interest groups following the issue said they were
confident the bill would quickly regain momentum.

"I think that this is a setback, but that it's only going to be temporary,"
said Joe Dunn, associate legislative director for the National Association
of Counties. Most local governments regard methamphetamine abuse as a top
problem, Dunn said.

"I think it's not an issue of if it's going to pass, but when," Dunn said.
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