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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: March 12, 2012
Sen. Rick Brinkley
Senate approves bill targeting meth manufacturers
The Senate on Tuesday approved legislation to target meth manufacturers
while preserving citizens’ access to medicines. Sen. Rick
Brinkley, author of Senate Bill 1634, said his proposal would
provide law enforcement officials with powerful tools to fight meth,
but would not make pseudoephedrine available by prescription only.
The proposal would limit over-the-counter purchases of pseudoephedrine
to 3.6 grams in a single day, and 7.2 grams per month – the
recommended therapeutic dosage. If approved by the Legislature,
Oklahoma would be the only state with an annual purchase limit for
pseudoephedrine. SB 1634 would limit pseudoephedrine purchases to
60 grams per year.
“Meth addiction is taking a horrendous toll on the people
of this state and the families who are going through it,”
said Brinkley, R-Owasso. “However, as we address the issue
I don’t believe we need to place additional burdens on law-abiding
citizens. This bill gives law enforcement the tools they need to
bust these meth labs, without inconveniencing law-abiding citizens
who need medicine.”
The measure will also give law enforcement officials the ability
to track purchases of pseudoephedrine across state lines. Brinkley
noted his bill would give investigators the ability to receive electronic
notifications when suspected meth manufacturers and their suppliers
purchase pseudoephedrine in neighboring states.
The measure would also institute a 72-hour purchase block for those
who exceed the daily purchase limit.
“Those of us who have counseled, or have known people who
have dealt with addiction, know how horrible the problem is,”
Brinkley said. “But we simply can’t limit access to
every item a criminal can misuse. We have to take a smarter approach,
and I believe this legislation does just that. I’m grateful
for the support of my colleagues who joined me in taking this step
to fight meth addiction in our state.”
Senate Bill 1634 will now advance to the House for consideration.
For more information contact:
Sen. Brinkley: (405) 521-5566
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