[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 155 (Friday, December 15, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2221-E2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      METHAMPHETAMINE LEGISLATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the 
methamphetamine legislation signed into law this session as part of the 
Children's Health Act of 2000. I strongly support the provisions of 
this bill that address the methamphetamine problem and the sale of 
pseudo-ephedrine, the primary ingredient in the manufacture of 
methamphetamine.
  The production of methamphetamine and the unregulated sale of pseudo-
ephedrine is a serious problem in my district of Las Vegas. Local law 
enforcement agencies work tirelessly to combat the abuse of this drug, 
and to crack down on the toxic methamphetamine laboratories that 
inhabit rental properties and hotel rooms that are often used by 
tourists.
  I concur with the provisions in the legislation to reduce the amount 
of pseudo-ephedrine that can be purchased in a single transaction from 
24 grams to 9 grams. At the present time, the 24 grams of pseudo-
ephedrine that can be legally purchased equates to about 900 tablets. 
It seems obvious that a person in need of pseudo-ephedrine for its 
intended purpose to relieve cold symptoms does not need this quantity 
of the drug.
  I also strongly support the provisions of the bill that strengthen 
the sentencing penalties for those who manufacture this drug, and the 
provisions that provide the critical training to local and state law 
enforcement agencies so they are able to safely and effectively fight 
this drug. However, I believe that it is equally important that we take 
the next step and increase regulation of the sale of pseudo-ephedrine.
  I have talked with local law enforcement agencies about the 
unregulated sale of pseudo-ephedrine and I'm all too familiar with the 
frustrations they face on a daily basis. There is evidence that drug 
wholesalers from other states come into the State of Nevada and sell 
pseudo-ephedrine by the caseload to retail outlets. When the 
distributors are asked why they traveled such distances to sell their 
drug in Las Vegas, they simply say that their home state ``does not 
have a methamphetamine problem.'' This is shameful, and the problem 
must be rectified.
  There is no federal law requiring retail outlets that sell limited 
amounts of pseudo-ephedrine to keep records of transactions. Without 
federal regulation, there is no uniform, reliable method to track the 
distribution of this drug. Illegal methamphetamine laboratory operators 
may continue to buy this drug by the caseload without a single record 
of transaction being documented. And because there is no federal 
regulation, law enforcement agencies do not have authority over the 
exchanges.
  Reducing the number of grams for purchase and increasing fines and 
penalties are a step in the right direction. But more needs to be done. 
We need to have greater accountability and we need to give law 
enforcement agencies the authority to intervene when drugs are being 
purchased for illegal activities.
  Methamphetamine is a growing problem already plaguing many cities and 
it is spreading across the nation. We must make common

[[Page E2222]]

sense changes in our national policy today, in order to curtail the 
drug crises of tomorrow. I applaud the recent changes regarding 
methamphetamine and the sale of pseudo-ephedrine, and I will support 
future efforts to strengthen these policies.

                          ____________________