A measure passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the renewal of the Patriot Act would tighten controls on chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine, toughen penalties on traffickers, and authorizes funding for drug courts and treatment for pregnant and parenting women.
The “Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005” (for PDF of bill, click here; for PDF summary of legislation, click here) represents the marriage of a bill proposed by Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) and another cosponsored by Sens. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). If approved by the Senate, the measure would require drugs containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine — including well-known cold medicines like Sudafed — to be stored behind pharmacy counters and would require buyers to show ID and sign a logbook.