Pubdate: Wed, 10 Aug 2005
Source: Shawnee News-Star (OK)
Copyright: 2005 The Shawnee News-Star
Contact:  http://www.onlineshawnee.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/412
Author: Gov. Brad Henry

CONTINUING OUR FIGHT AGAINST METHAMPHETAMINE

Oklahoma has been tremendously successful in reducing the production of
methamphetamine during the past year, but there is more work to be done.
After all, this epidemic of drug abuse stretches far beyond our borders. The
law we passed last year to restrict the sales of pseudoephedrine, a key
ingredient in methamphetamine, is credited with a dramatic reduction of meth
labs in Oklahoma. In some areas of the state, meth lab seizures have dropped
by as much as 90 percent.

Our achievements have led other states and the federal government to use
Oklahoma's new law as a blueprint for fighting meth. More than 30 other
states are following Oklahoma's lead.

Thankfully, Congress is working on federal restrictions of pseudoephedrine
sales to curb meth production throughout the nation. For Oklahoma's
continued success in this battle, we need to make sure that meth makers
cannot easily bring supplies into Oklahoma from neighboring states.

I welcome federal anti-meth legislation to combat this widespread and deadly
scourge, but it should not come at the expense of weakening our successful
state efforts. Until recently, a proposed bill in the U.S. Senate sought to
trump state laws involving methamphetamine.

I wrote the authors of the bill to express my concerns that pre-empting
state laws will weaken our efforts and make it easier for big pharmaceutical
companies to focus future efforts to weaken the federal legislation.
Although the bill mirrors many aspects of Oklahoma's law and in some areas
is even more restrictive  I am also concerned that some exemptions in the
measure could potentially increase meth production in Oklahoma.

Fortunately, Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn and others pushed hard to get the
preemption clause dropped in a Senate committee hearing on the bill.

I will continue to monitor the process, however, to ensure the final bill
will not undermine Oklahoma's progress in the fight against methamphetamine.

If you have questions or comments, write me at the Office of the Governor,
Room 212, Oklahoma City OK 73105 or visit the "Contact the Governor" section
of my Web site, www.gov.ok.gov. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh