[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 92 (Thursday, June 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2847) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Commerce and Justice, 
     and Science, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2010, and for other purposes:

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 
2847, and in appreciation of the work done by the Chairman and Ranking 
Member on this appropriations bill. I want to take a moment to speak to 
a provision included in the bill's accompanying report regarding 
methamphetamines.
  I have heard from members of the law enforcement community in my 
district about the range of difficulties that they have encountered 
with the efficiency and effectiveness of the logbook requirement of the 
Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA). As you know Mr. Chairman, 
pharmacies are required to keep a record of the sale of various over-
the-counter pharmaceuticals, due to their use in the production of 
illicit drugs such as meth. This record is meant to ensure that 
individuals do not purchase excessive amounts of specific 
pharmaceuticals in a set period of time.
  Unfortunately, there is a wide assortment of methods used to meet 
this requirement. Some pharmacies utilize an electronic record system 
while others have a paper logbook to record purchase information. 
Further, there is no way for pharmacies in a geographic area to share 
information from their logbooks, which allows individuals purchasing 
meth ingredients, known as ``smurfers,'' to easily go from one pharmacy 
to another, purchasing the maximum amount of product from each store.
  The inconsistencies of the logbook requirement make it very difficult 
for law enforcement agents to investigate drug-related activities in a 
timely and effective manner.
  This legislation contains a reporting requirement for the Department 
of Justice to explain its strategy for dealing with illicit 
methamphetamine production and to make recommendations on how the CMEA 
can be strengthened or expanded to improve the Department's ability to 
identify and apprehend those engaged in the illegal production and 
distribution of meth, and other illicit drugs, in our communities. I am 
grateful that Committee has agreed to include this report provision and 
look forward to working with the Chairman to ensure this report 
specifically takes into consideration the logbook requirement and ways 
on which that requirement can be improved to assist the law enforcement 
community with their difficult task.
  Again, I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for their work on this 
bill and look forward to supporting its passage.

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