Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jan 2006
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2006 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Jennifer Mock
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NAMES OF METH DISTRIBUTORS WOULD GO TO ONLINE DATABASE

The names of distributors and manufacturers of methamphetamine may 
become more easily learned by the public if a bill requiring their 
names to be entered into an online database becomes law.

Monday, House Republican leaders offered legislation creating an 
online registry designed to further deter meth distributors and 
manufacturers and protect property owners. The registry, proposed by 
House Bill 3121, would contain the names of people convicted and 
sentenced for the crime.

House Speaker Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville, said he hopes the Web site 
would help keep the public safe and discourage continued meth use.

"This registry will allow citizens to protect themselves, and allow 
users to heal themselves," he said. Offenders would be removed from 
the registry if they go seven years without another meth conviction.

The bill would allow property owners to run a search to ensure they 
do not sell or rent to a meth manufacturer or distributor.

The cost to maintain the site is unclear, but a similar site's 
upstart in Tennessee was $200,000, said Lonnie Wright, director of 
the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom