Pubdate: Mon, 26 Feb 2007
Source: Daily Review Atlas (Monmouth, IL)
Copyright: 2007 Review Atlas
Contact:  http://www.reviewatlas.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4186
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LOCAL BILL TOUGHENS METH LAW

SPRINGFIELD - In the ongoing battle against the methamphetamine 
epidemic State Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, has introduced a bill 
that will increase the punishment for buying over-the counter 
ingredients for methamphetamine production with a fake or borrowed ID.

The bill sailed through the Senate Judiciary Criminal Law Committee 
last week. The vote was unanimous.

Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are ingredients found in 
over-the-counter medicines that are vital ingredients in the 
production of methamphetamine.

In recent years a number of laws have been put on the books to make 
it more difficult for would-be methamphetamine makers to purchase 
large quantities of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. One law requires 
the person to show a photo ID and sign a log book when they purchase the items.

Sullivan was surprised to learn there were no laws allowing the state 
to charge anyone with felonies for people using a fake ID to buy the 
medicines. "At a meeting with local law enforcement last fall, I was 
surprised to learn that criminals who use a fake ID to buy medicine 
containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are not charged under the 
criminal code," said Senator Sullivan. "With this legislation we send 
the message that if you misrepresent your identity to buy the 
ingredients to make meth, you face severe consequences."

Under current law, criminals face a misdemeanor when using a fake ID 
to buy ingredients to make methamphetamine. The passage of Senate 
Bill 55 would increase this to a Class 4 felony - one to three years 
in prison/$25,000 fine - for first time offenders, a Class 3 felony - 
two to five years/$25,000 fine - for a second offense, and a third or 
subsequent offense would be a Class 2 felony, punishable by up to 
three to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

According to the bill, pharmacies and retail distributors, along with 
the employee(s), who violate this act will also face stricter 
penalties for first and repeat offenses.

Sullivan said his legislation is directed at closing a loophole that 
allows "pill shoppers" using fake driver's licenses and other false 
identification to avoid the purchase limit quantity restrictions 
placed on medicines that contain chemicals used in the manufacture of 
methamphetamine.

"This bill will provide another tool to help law enforcement in our 
continued efforts to fight against the illegal production of meth by 
creating stronger penalties for individuals using fraudulent 
identification to purchase pseudoephdrine," said Master Sgt. Bruce 
Liebe of the Illinois State Police who was in Springfield on 
Wednesday to testify in support of Sullivan's proposal. "We at the 
ISP are grateful that this bill would provide enhanced penalties for 
criminals trying to beat the system and purchase large quantities of 
meth precursors by using false identification."

Liebe is the ISP's leading meth expert and has served as an expert 
witness in both state and federal court regarding methamphetamine 
production and distribution.

The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration.

(Review Atlas editor Stacey Creasy contributed to this report.)
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman