For Immediate Release:
March 22, 2004
Senator Dick Wilkerson
Senate Approves “Trooper Nik Green” Meth Bill
The State Senate has given unanimous approval
to legislation that would make it harder for methamphetamine
manufacturers to get ingredients needed to make the drug.
Senator Dick
Wilkerson is author of House Bill 2176. He called it
the most proactive step the legislature has ever taken to
address this growing problem.
“Oklahoma was first in the nation last year in the
number of per capita methamphetamine lab seizures. This
is an addiction-driven problem that is like a cancer eating
away at communities across the state. We need to do everything
we can to stop meth in its tracks,” said Senator Wilkerson,
D-Atwood.
Wilkerson, a former deputy director of the Oklahoma State
Bureau of Investigation, said the bill was also known as
the “Trooper Nik Green Act” in honor of an Oklahoma
highway patrolman who was gunned down, allegedly by a man
operating a mobile meth lab out of a car.
House Bill 2176 would restrict the purchases of certain
decongestant medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, one
of the main ingredients used to make meth. The bill would
make pseudoephedrine tablets a schedule V substance that
could only be sold at licensed pharmacies.
“Basically, anyone buying pseudoephedrine in tablet
form would have to show a photo I.D. and sign for the purchase.
We would require pharmacies to keep track of who buys the
drug, and customers would be restricted to buying no more
than 12 boxes over a 30 day period,” said Wilkerson.
The Senator noted that gel caps, liquids and children’s
medications would be exempt.
The legislation now goes back to the House for final approval
before being sent to Gov. Brad Henry for his signature.
Henry has already voiced his support for the measure. The
bill will become law as soon as it is signed.
For
more information contact:
Senate
Communications Division - (405) 521-5774
