LEGISLATORS PASS METH BILL THAT ALSO LIMI

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LEGISLATORS PASS METH BILL THAT ALSO LIMITS INTERNET DRUGS


FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The General Assembly passed a bill last night to regulate Internet drug sales and restrict purchases of a key ingredient in making methamphetamine.


Senate Bill 63 -- which is aimed at curbing the spread of meth in Kentucky and requiring that people who buy drugs over the Internet have prescriptions for them -- passed the House 84-0.


The Senate later voted 33-0 for the bill, sending it to Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who plans to sign it, press secretary Jeanne Lausche said.


It will take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns.


SB 63 will restrict access to pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in over-the-counter cold and allergy medicine such as Sudafed or Claritin D and also a key ingredient of meth.


The administration had designated the bill as a priority, but final passage was delayed until lawmakers could fix minor wording errors.


The bill is aimed at coping with the spread of the illegal and highly addictive stimulant.


The Courier-Journal reported in December that meth has accelerated its spread through Kentucky and that state laws aren't adequate to stem the growth.


The measure drew opposition from the Kentucky Retail Federation, which argued it was too restrictive.


The bill will require tablets that contain pseudoephedrine to be kept in a secure location, such as behind the counter or in a locked case.


The pills can be sold only at stores with a pharmacy, and customers will have to present photo identification and sign a log to obtain the pills from a pharmacist or pharmacist's technician.


It will limit buyers to nine grams, or about 300 tablets, of pseudoephedrine, per month.


Other forms -- such as gel-caps or liquids -- will not be affected because they generally aren't used to produce meth.


The bill also will toughen a law used to prosecute meth makers and make it illegal to expose children to meth labs, which involve toxic chemicals and pose a risk of fire or explosion.


Lawmakers combined the bill's meth provisions with a separate measure backed by Attorney General Greg Stumbo to regulate Internet pharmacies that ship addictive drugs, such as painkillers and tranquilizers, into Kentucky.


Stumbo said easy access to such drugs has become an increasing problem, especially in his native Eastern Kentucky.


The Internet drug provisions will allow the Kentucky Board of Pharmacy to regulate companies that ship drugs into Kentucky and require people to have a valid prescription.


It also will require companies that ship drugs to have national certification and comply with state and federal law.