Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2005
Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL)
Copyright: 2005sPeoria Journal Star
Contact:  http://pjstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338
Author: Dave Haney
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SCHOCK PROPOSING METH LEGISLATION, EXPERT PANEL

PEORIA - Anticipating reform to the state's methamphetamine laws, state 
Rep. Aaron Schock wants a panel of experts taking charge of the lawmaking 
process.

Schock, R-Peoria, announced Monday he has introduced legislation creating a 
Methamphetamine Control Law Commission, a group that would look at 
replacing, updating and toughening laws targeting the increasing "toxic 
atmosphere" crystal meth has brought to Illinois' communities.

"Basically, this is a game plan for the state to deal with the meth 
crisis," Schock said Monday during a news conference at the Peoria County 
Sheriff's Department. "As a commission, you have the experts . . . who 
understand how to deal with meth and who will be best to come up with a 
solution."

Although the legislation has yet to even be assigned to a committee, the 
commission Schock is proposing would consist of prosecutors, law 
enforcement officials and social service advocates.

Throughout the state, police agencies have been bogged down by the growing 
number of clandestine meth labs and related crimes.

According to Illinois State Police, the troopers dismantled 959 meth labs 
in 2004 compared to 403 in 2000 - an increase of 125 percent.

Locally, Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy said the number of arrests 
associated with the drug continue to climb each year.

In one instance, McCoy said some individuals had taken a back seat out of a 
car and were "cooking meth" while driving down the road.

"Stiffer penalties . . . I think will have an impact on people who choose 
to manufacture, sell and use meth," McCoy said.

Police say methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth, crank or ice is 
extremely addictive and can be made with items commonly found in grocery 
and hardware stores. Also, the manufacturing process, highly explosive, has 
been known to kill its makers.

To curb some meth-making, Illinois has created laws regarding the number of 
certain types of cold medicine people can purchase at one time, in addition 
to requiring retailers to place some of the most popular products with 
meth-making ingredients behind store counters.

Also, the Illinois State Police announced last week the formation of six 
dedicated meth response teams which will exclusively investigate, seize and 
dismantle meth labs across the state.

Still, Schock says a comprehensive law is needed to combat the 
"out-of-control crisis," rather than amending current laws in a "piecemeal 
fashion."
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