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Madigan's Bill Targeting Meth Manufacturers
Signed into Law
HARRISBURG -- Legislation
sponsored by Sen. Roger Madigan (R-23) targeting manufactures of
methamphetamines with tougher penalties and giving law enforcement agencies
greater tools to stop production of the deadly drug in rural areas has been
signed into law.
“The people who make this
poison use every loophole and every means to acquire the ingredients to do their
dirty work. This new law will make it more difficult for them to manufacture a
drug that has ruined so many lives,” said Madigan.
Madigan introduced Senate
Bill 679 in May. The Senate approved the bill in April and the House of
Representatives followed on July 2. The governor signed the measure into law on
July 15.
Senate Bill 679 -- now Act 85
of 2004 -- focuses on illegal uses of the ingredients used to make the highly
addictive stimulant drug, including anhydrous ammonia, a chemical commonly used
as a fertilizer by farms.
Act 85 makes it illegal to
possess or transport anhydrous ammonia for any purpose other than agricultural
or industrial use. It also sets stiff penalties for possessing large quantities
of other methamphetamine ingredients, including the dietary supplements
ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, a common decongestant found in cold medicine.
The law also requires state
police to keep a repository of clandestine drug labs around the state.
“The manufacture and use of
methamphetamines has become a growing problem in rural areas, and we have to
respond aggressively,” said Madigan. “Its presence undermines community
stability and puts the lives of law enforcement officers at risk. Act 85 will
be a useful weapon in the battle against meth manufacturers.”
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