Pubdate: Wed, 07 Sep 2005
Source: Clovis News Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2005, Freedom Newspapers of NM
Contact:  http://www.clovis-news-nm.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2994
Author: Marlena Hartz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH ORDINANCE UP FOR VOTE

An attempt to crack down on methamphetamine production has begun with the 
passing of an ordinance limiting the sale of pseudophedrine-based cold and 
sinus products in Portales and Roosevelt County.

Commissioners in Curry County and Clovis will vote on the ordinance 
proposed by 9th Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler in the next two days.

The ordinance aims to reduce methamphetamine production in the area by 
placing the powder and hard-pill forms of pseudophedrine used in meth 
production behind counters or glass in the stores.

Introduced this summer, the ordinance has met with a fair amount of 
criticism from those who view it as an invasion of privacy and freedom.

The ordinance would require those who purchase more than three packets of 
pseudophedrine-based medicines in a single store visit to present 
identification; it is not applicable, however, to those purchasing gel and 
liquid forms of the drug.

Retailers would record the name and address of mass purchasers. That record 
would be stored in a folder or in some other form by retailers and picked 
up by law enforcement officials on roughly a weekly basis, according to 
city commissioner and deputy district attorney Fred Van Soelen. It could 
then be used for up to three to six months by law enforcement officials for 
drug enforcement or "other lawful purposes," the ordinance states.

The ordinance is up for vote at the county level at 9 a.m. today and will 
be voted upon on Thursday at the city level in Clovis.

Chandler said similar ordinances have been enacted across the nation.

"Meth cooks are anchored into this community not because they enjoy the 
school systems, not because they enjoy the nice weather. They are anchored 
into this community because they can make a profit by making meth in this 
community. If we take that opportunity to make a profit away, research and 
studies show that they will leave the community," Chandler said.

Chandler said retailers violating the ordinance could face a punishment of 
a $300 fine and/or 90 days in jail.

"It's the standard penalty for a city and county ordinance," Chandler said. 
"I don't think we will have any problems with retailers cooperating. 
They've all complied with the program."

According to police there were seven meth lab busts in the city and county 
in the last year.

One of the ordinance's most ardent detractors, former Lt. Gov. Walter 
Bradley of Clovis, said the law is a misplaced stranglehold.

"My heartburn is that we aren't punishing the criminal. When we arrest a 
cook and they bail out for as little as $500 and go back to the kitchen, 
that's outrageous," Bradley said. "I question the effectiveness of an 
ordinance that does not punish the criminal."

Conversely, County Commissioner Ed Perales said the merits of the ordinance 
are evidenced by its adoption in surrounding states.

"My concerns (with the ordinance) have been answered and I'm ready to 
proceed," Perales said, citing similar photo identification requirements 
for the sale of cigarettes and alcohol.

City Commissioner Robert Sandoval said he has studied this ordinance more 
than any other up for his approval. "It has some good points and some that 
are not so good," the commissioner said. "I am still racking my brain with it."

In the months since the ordinance was introduced, Sandoval said he has 
visited with pseudophedrine retailers and the families of meth users 
devastated by addiction. He still, however, said he wrestles with the 
implications of the ordinance, which some say could put too much financial 
and emotional burden on retailers.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman