Although the main focus for this year’s session will be bonding to pay for projects across the state, there is one issue that has caught the attention of all legislators – methamphetamines. This dangerous drug has created an epidemic across our nation and, believe it or not, it is here in Minnesota. In 1995 there were approximately 20 meth lab seizures in Minnesota, and just last year, that number grew to more than 400. Several lawmakers have proposed legislation for tougher penalties for those who attempt to manufacture meth. Methamphetamine is extremely dangerous because it affects not only the user but also anyone within the vicinity of the user. Because readily available hazardous chemicals like anhydrous ammonia, acetone, tolu- ene and methyethylketone are used to make meth, anyone near a meth lab is vulnerable to exposure to such chemicals. The use of methamphetamine can result in rapid weight loss, loss of teeth and hair, extreme paranoia, bone loss, and damage to the liver, kidneys and lungs. Long-term effects from the drug include increased risk of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, chronic depression and death. It also causes hallucinations, body sores, vomiting, nausea and other medical and psychological problems. Last session the legislature passed a law providing for a three-year maximum sentence for offenders who possess substances with intent to manufacture meth. This year lawmakers want to increase the maximum penalty to 10 years for a first offense and 15 years for a subsequent offense. Other provisions would require persons convicted of manufacturing or attempting to manufacture meth to pay restitution to all public entities that participate in the response and to property owners who pay for the cleanup themselves, and would prohibit any person from manufacturing meth, storing chemical substances, storing waste products, or storing meth paraphernalia in the presence of a child or vulnerable adult. In addition, legislation would prohibit any person from selling ~in a single over-the-counter sale~ more than two packages of a meth precursor drugs such as pseudoephedrine. Businesses that sell meth precursor drugs would also be required to ensure that packages are: o Behind a checkout counter; o Within six feet of view of an attended checkout counter; o Locked in a display case; or o Equipped with an antitheft product tag. We want to make it hard to purchase the precursors to the drug. Iowa has enacted similar legislation and now the meth “cooks” are coming to southern Minnesota to buy or steal the precursors. The fact that they are coming up to Minnesota from Iowa is proof that these laws work. The legislation would also require all property or vehicles that have been found to be a contaminated meth lab be prohibited from being occupied or used until it has been assessed and cleaned. The property or vehicle would also carry a notation on the title or deed stating that it was used in the manufacture of meth. In addition, the legislation would make modifications to our current restrictions on improperly using, stealing, or tampering with anhydrous ammonia. Law enforcement officers report that 90 percent of their drug investigations are meth- related. The legislation proposed would give law enforcement officials the right tools to stop the production of meth, and to increase the convictions of those guilty of making and using the drug. This legislation will help curb the methamphetamine epidemic that is sweeping across the nation. If legislation is enacted, we will be protecting the future of Minnesota, protecting kids, and helping law enforcement. State Senator Steve Dille can be reached at (651) 296-4131. Mail should be sent to 103 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155, and e-mail can be sent to sen.steve.dille@senate.mn.
