Bill Strengthening Oklahoma's Meth Law is Approved by the House

Monday afternoon, the state House overwhelmingly approved a measure that Gov. Brad Henry said will strengthen Oklahoma’s landmark anti-methamphetamine law. House Bill 1507 establishes a statewide online database that will link pharmacies to augment an existing law restricting sales of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine.“Oklahoma has been a national leader in efforts to stamp out the scourge of methamphetamine, but that does not mean we can afford to rest on our laurels,” Gov. Henry said.“HB 1507 helps ensure that our state continue to see an erosion of meth abuse. By creating an electronic network of pharmacies, we will make exceedingly difficult for meth manufacturers to skirt the law. Connecting pharmacies across our state means that a pharmacist will be able to check if a customer has already purchased the maximum amount of pseudoephedrine allowed by law.”Authored by state Rep. Paul Roan (D-Tishomingo), state Rep. John Nance (R-Bethany) and Sen. Jay Paul Gumm (D-Durant), HB 1507 builds on the incredible successes of Oklahoma’s battle against the spread of meth abuse.Signed into law last year by Gov. Henry, House Bill 2176 requires that tablet sales of pseudoephedrine be placed behind pharmacy counters and that buyers show their identification upon purchase. Another provision of that act allows judges to deny bond to chronic meth offenders. HB 2176 has been credited with a signifcant drop in methamphetamine-related busts. According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, meth lab seizures have dropped by as much as 70 percent since the law was enacted in April, 2004.In addition, Gov. Henry has been a strong proponent of efforts by U.S. Reps. Dan Boren (D-Muskogee) and Tom Cole (R-Moore) for federal legislation that would mirror Oklahoma’s anti-methamphetamine law.Gov. Henry said he plans to sign into law HB 1507.

Source: Governor's Press Release