|
|
(R-Crawford, Erie) With the illegal drug trade evolving into household labs that produce drugs 30 times stronger than crack cocaine, I have announced legislation that will help crack down on the production of methamphetamines in Pennsylvania. One of the most popular drugs people are using to get high is one they can make in their own homes -- methamphetamines, commonly known as 'meth'. This drug and its harmful effects have reached into every corner of Pennsylvania, including in my district in Erie and Crawford counties. Meth is produced by "cooking" several ingredients, including pseudoephedrine, which is found in certain cold medicines. Added together with other household goods and chemicals, meth "cookers" can put together a batch in less than a few hours in a lab inside homes, garages, or sheds to achieve an inexpensive high that is 30 times stronger than crack cocaine. Meth labs are popping up in western Pennsylvania, coming in from the Ohio border. Nearly 90 percent of the 19 suspected methamphetamine labs seized in Pennsylvania in 2003 were in Venango, Crawford and Erie counties. In 2004, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office reports that of the 74 meth labs seized thus far, 42 were located in northwestern Pennsylvania. Meth, like any other addictive substance, is causing real problems in our community. It has caused an increase in petty theft from local hardware stores and pharmacies, emotional hardship on families, explosions during the cooking process, and overdoses. Meth has proven to be a dangerous, dangerous drug. That is why I am taking the lead in the House of Representatives by introducing two measures and being a lead cosponsor on two others that will help stop the meth production in Pennsylvania. HB2724 will make it a crime to "cook" meth in front of children and expands the definition of "structure" to tighten any potential loophole for prosecutors. We have heard accounts of children being present during meth production, and this creates such a hazard in that the cooking process is highly explosive. I am hopeful this legislation will help keep children out of harm's way. In addition, the second bill will require meth producers to pay for the cleanup and disposal of the toxic waste residue from meth production. HB2739 responds to incidents of meth producers dumping the toxic waste residue along back roads in remote locations. This has a serious environmental impact as many animals and/or children could wander upon the toxic waste, not knowing what it is. Legislation is also being introduced by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna) that will toughen the penalties for those who steal anhydrous ammonia, a highly toxic fertilizer that is used as an ingredient for meth. All of these bills are currently with House standing committees for consideration. CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives |
