[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             COMBAT METHAMPHETAMINE ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 2010

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R. 
2923, the Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act.
  I'd like to thank Chairman Pallone, Ranking Member Shimkus, Chairman 
Waxman, Ranking Member Barton, and the staff of the Energy and Commerce 
Health Subcommittee for their hard work on this bill. I'd also like to 
thank Senator Feinstein for her determination and diligence in the 
effort to combat the spread of meth.
  While visiting a Middle Tennessee high school a number of years ago, 
I asked a group of students to tell me about the most troubling issue 
facing them. Their top concern shocked me: they were worried about 
friends who were trying meth.
  Four years ago, Congress began to tackle this issue head on. In 2006, 
Congress approved the most comprehensive bill to date targeting the 
spread of meth by bringing all pseudoephedrine products behind the 
counter.
  For a time, this approach worked, and meth abuse rates went down.
  But the criminals who cook and distribute this dangerous drug have 
exploited loopholes in the laws that regulate the sale of precursor 
materials. As a result, we have once again seen an increase in the 
distribution, use, and manufacturing of meth across the country.
  In Tennessee, meth seizures have increased 50 percent in the past 
year.
  Too many retailers and distributors of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine 
products are not in compliance with the 2006 law. Even more alarming, 
recent trends are showing that more and more of those arrested are 
young people, who are first brought into the business as runners sent 
to purchase these products from retailers.
  Building on the 2006 law, H.R. 2923 would: require all retailers of 
pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products to register with the U.S. 
Attorney General; require distributors of these products to sell only 
to retailers who are registered to sell controlled substances; require 
the Attorney General to provide a downloadable database on its website 
to all retailers who have filed self-certification; and, clarify that a 
retailer who neglects to file required self-certifications can face 
civil fines.
  This bill has been endorsed by the National Association of Chain Drug 
Stores, the Health Care Distribution Management Association, the 
Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the Community Anti-Drug 
Coalitions of America, the National Narcotics Officers' Association and 
the Fraternal Order of Police.
  Meth is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, with widespread 
consequences for users, their families, and their communities. With 
this legislation, we move one step closer to securing the safety of our 
communities across the nation by ensuring these products are used for 
their intended purpose, and not for illegal drugs.

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