Anti-Meth Laws Come to D.C.

posted by Josh Goodman

Here at Governing, we always take pleasure in pointing out when federal legislation mirrors laws already on the books in the states. Well, the congressional copycats are at it again with national restrictions on over-the-counter drugs that can be used to produce meth.

The new laws were a little-noted consequence of the Patriot Act compromise that President Bush struck with key senators a couple of weeks ago. Next month, Congress is almost certain to renew the Patriot Act, with the meth legislation attached. Here's how the Associated Press summarized the deal: "Stores would be required to keep medicines like Sudafed and Nyquil behind the counter, and consumers would be limited to 3.6 grams, or about 120 pills, per day, and 9 grams, or about 300 pills, per month. Purchasers would need to show a photo ID and sign a logbook."

The measure will also appropriate $100 million to train state and local law enforcement officials to catch meth offenders and, unlike some earlier versions, will not preempt tougher state laws.

Comments

[chris]

Is there any reason to believe that those absurd states laws worked? Does anyone honestly think that they were even a good idea?

[Josh]

I haven't seen any research evaluating the effectiveness of these laws. Although it's flattering to the states when the feds copy their ideas, it does seem that they don't always choose the right laws to copy.

[Holly Kessinger]

I am finding boxes of this medicine in my ditch in the front of my home. I am an Aunt of two small children that just had there home invaded by the police. There are not any good laws out to protect them from the drug use in their home. Nothing in this town of Beaver Dam Ky will protect them.
Meth is a very big issue here. It is ok that the mother does meth in the home with her children. I want a law that works... They are making it everywhere here.As long as we don't see her use in front of them, there is nothing we can do... How about that Law?