Pubdate: Tue, 13 May 2003
Source: Advocate, The (LA)
Copyright: 2003 The Advocate, Capital City Press
Contact:  http://www.theadvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2
Author: Patrick Courreges

HOUSE PASSES BILLS ON METH DEALERS, LABS

The House voted on Monday to give prosecutors a heavier book to throw at 
dealers and manufacturers of amphetamines and methamphetamines.

Rep. Emma Devillier's three-part package of proposed laws would also make 
operators of illegal drug labs pay for the cleanup of their chemicals and 
would hit them for running their shops with children in the house.

Devillier, D-Plaquemine, said she was carrying the bills at the request of 
local prosecutors to clarify laws on methamphetamines and amphetamines.

Methamphetamines are powerful stimulants that have been growing in 
popularity among drug users and dealers.

Devillier's House Bill 1015 strengthens the criminal penalties for 
distribution of amphetamines and methamphetamines. It keeps a fine of up to 
$50,000 but makes the first two years of the two-to-30-year sentence to be 
served without benefit of parole, probation or suspension.

House Bill 1011 would make criminal the creation or operation of a 
laboratory for unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance.

That includes methamphetamines, for which traffic has grown in Louisiana, 
and which is commonly and easily made in makeshift labs that can be 
anywhere from a house to the back of a van.

Many of the chemicals commonly used to make meth are extremely dangerous to 
handle.

HB1011 would outlaw the sale, purchase, transportation or just about any 
other handling of the chemicals and equipment needed to make such drugs, if 
the actions are taken with the intent of setting up or running an illegal 
drug lab.

The penalties would include five to 15 years of prison time and a fine of 
up to $25,000.

Beyond that, the law would require people convicted to pay the government 
the costs of cleaning up whatever hazardous waste they deal with in 
clearing out the labs.

Devillier's HB1014 changes the crime of cruelty to a juvenile to include 
intentional and negligent exposure of anyone under the age of 17, including 
unborn children, to clandestine drug labs.

Lack of knowledge of the juvenile's age or the existence of an unborn child 
would not be a defense under the law for someone over the age of 17 who is 
convicted.

The penalties would be up to $1,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

The trio of bills goes to the Senate for further action.
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MAP posted-by: Beth