Pubdate: Thu, 19 May 2005
Source: Daily Review (PA)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily Review
Contact:  http://www.thedailyreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1015
Author: Patrick Abdalla

NEW YORK STATE SENATE GETTING TOUGH ON METH

The New York State Senate has passed three laws meant to help in the
battle against methamphetamine.

According to New York State Sen. Thomas Libous the laws make it a
felony to operate a methamphetamine lab in a residential neighborhood,
impose stronger penalties for those who are found with the precursors
to the drug, and make it harder to get those items. He said the laws
will make it much easier to prosecute criminals attempting to
manufacture the drug.

"We can't shut them down unless we toughen up the laws," Libous
said.

Methamphetamine has developed into a big problem in Tioga and Chemung
counties. Since 1999, 30 of the 205 incidents involving
methamphetamine labs in the state have been in Tioga County. Mayor
Anne Martin of Waverly, N.Y., said anything the state does will end up
benefiting her village in battling the problem.

Libous said he hopes the state assembly will work with the senate on
the bills.

"Currently, unless we catch someone with meth there's very little that
we can do," said Waverly Police Chief Grady Updyke, who explained that
the new laws would change that. Now - like in Pennsylvania - law
enforcement officials who find people with the items used to
manufacture the drug can prosecute them before the drug reaches the
final state of manufacture.

Methamphetamine is made with many items, several of which can be found
around the house. However, large amounts of certain over-the-counter
drugs such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are needed. Now consumers
cannot purchase more than three packages at a time.

State Senator George H. Winner, Jr. from Elmira, sponsored the
legislation that would make it a crime to manufacture the drug in
residential neighborhoods. He also co-sponsored the law that would
make it a felony to steal or possess stolen anhydrous ammonia, which
is used to make the drug and another law that would make manufacturing
it in the presence of a child, a felony.

Libous said it was important to pass all three laws because it helps
pull the state up to par with Pennsylvania's already tough
methamphetamine laws.

"The combination is going to help give law enforcement agencies the
teeth that they need," he said. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFLorida)