Governor Ted Kulongoski signed Legislation at the close of the most recent Legislative Session to make Oregon one of the toughest places to produce Meth in the Nation.. The Legislation will not only make it hard to get the key ingredient that produces Meth but it will also increase the penalties for those who produce Meth. In addition the Governor has made sure local governments have the resource they need to battle this epidemic by giving these local governments the resources to fight and not just giving them an unfounded mandate. The Legislation not only allocates money for the tougher sentences but also allocates money for special drug courts and treatment options.

“Meth has robbed many Oregon children of the right to grow up in a happy and healthy home,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Limiting the availability of pseudoephedrine and providing long-term treatment will give hope for these kids to get their families back.”

Soon after taking office, Governor Kulongoski appointed a Meth Task Force to look at the meth epidemic and recommend ways to combat meth production and use. The task force is made up of law enforcement, treatment providers, prevention and education experts, private business, the military and others.

After initial recommendations, the Governor last October directed the Oregon pharmacy board to put all pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters and require that pharmacists keep a log of purchases. Six months later, the rule was working – leading evidence indicated that meth labs had been reduced by 50 percent or more. The Governor then directed that the rule be made permanent.

“This legislation continues the work started with my Meth Task Force and the rule to put pseudoephedrine behind the pharmacy counters,” said Governor Kulongoski. “This initiative marks a historic step forward to eliminate this epidemic in Oregon.”

There are currently efforts in place to launch a statewide prevention program aimed at college, high school and middle school students, a fast-growing demographic for meth use. The Oregon Partnership, working with students from the University of Oregon and high school students from Sheridan, Newberg and Dayton, is working to develop messages that appeal to younger audiences.

“We all have a role to play to fight the meth epidemic in our state,” said Governor Kulongoski. “For some that means developing new ways to prevent meth use and for others that means finding an alternative cold remedy. No one ever said this would be easy but I know that together we can win this fight. The bills I signed today are just one more step in that fight.”

Here is the text of the Bills that will give us the tools to curb Meth Production in Oregon:

SB 907
Enhances penalties for meth-related crimes.

SB 5630
Allocates money for additional sentencing and other expenses related to SB 907.

HB 2485
Makes pseudoephedrine a Schedule III prescription drug.

HB5174
Allocates money for additional resources for drug court treatment programs.