New Cantwell-Backed Bill Would Help Alert Law Enforcement to Meth Labs

Press Release

Legislation would implement electronic logbook system to alert law enforcement to individuals illegally stockpiling meth ingredients

Thursday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in introducing legislation to help law enforcement shut down meth labs and apprehend individuals illegally stockpiling meth ingredients. The bipartisan Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act builds on the Combat Meth Act, signed into law last year. The Combat Meth Act moved meth ingredients behind pharmacy counters and required purchasers to sign a logbook. The legislation introduced today would promote the use of electronic logbooks to monitor sales more accurately over a wider area and help notify law enforcement of individuals stockpiling meth precursors.

"We've already taken a key step by moving meth ingredients behind pharmacy counters, now we need to help law enforcement catch the meth cooks who've found a way around this law," said Cantwell. "Electronic logbooks will go a long way toward stopping the criminals who pass through several stores to build up illegal stockpiles of these medicines. By encouraging broader use of technology we already have at our fingertips, our law enforcement will gain a valuable new tool to further reduce the number of meth labs in our state."

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