Res. No. 955

Resolution calling upon the Legislature of the State of New York to enact legislation in relation to criminalizing the manufacture and possession of methamphetamine and its chemical precursors.

By Council Members Oddo, Quinn, Reed, Brewer, Clarke, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, James, Liu, Nelson, Sanders Jr., Sears and Stewart

Whereas, The epidemic of methamphetamine is a growing problem across the nation and the pattern of methamphetamine use, addiction and production seen in other states, along with the crime and violence associated with the drug, raise the specter for potentially more serious problems in New York in the near future; and

Whereas, Unless state officials act immediately to address this growing problem, New York could soon become a haven for methamphetamine users, addicts and manufacturers; and

Whereas, Methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant drug which induces a strong feeling of euphoria and is highly addictive, causing violent behavior, psychosis, and delusions among its users; and

Whereas, Unfortunately, in addition to the large quantities of this substance that are smuggled into the United States from abroad, drug dealers and users have also learned how to acquire otherwise legitimate chemicals and medications and convert these products into methamphetamine; and

Whereas, Among the precursor chemicals that are diverted for this illicit activity are the active ingredients ephedrine or psuedoephedrine, which are found in many over-the-counter cough/cold, allergy, sinus and asthma medicines, as well as certain chemicals found in household products; and

Whereas, Methamphetamine may be produced from ephedrine or psuedoephedrine through a process of synthetic conversion that changes these chemicals to produce some form of this harmful substance; and

Whereas, The synthesis process usually involves dangerous chemicals which are generally used by people with little or no laboratory training, hence the manufacture of methamphetamine may create many hazards, including fires, explosions, and exposure to toxic fumes; and

Whereas, Law enforcement agencies have uncovered many instances of tragic human injuries and extensive property damage, as well as environmental hazards, due to unlawful methamphetamine laboratories; and

Whereas, Methamphetamine can have a devastating impact on children who are exposed to the toxic fumes generated by methamphetamine manufacture and the volatile nature of these labs; and

Whereas, Measures should be taken to criminalize methamphetamine-related activities committed in the presence of a child; and

Whereas, In order to combat the growing methamphetamine crisis, it is also essential that the possession of precursor chemicals needed to manufacture methamphetamine be criminalized and that the retail sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine be limited; and

Whereas, The State Legislature should criminalize the manufacture of methamphetamine so that law enforcement officials will be able to charge manufacturers with a crime even if they have not completed the manufacturing process; and

Whereas, Currently New York State is the only state that has not made manufacturing a controlled substance a felony crime; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the city of New York calls upon the Legislature of the State of New York to expand the laws criminalizing the manufacture and possession of methamphetamine and its chemical precursors.

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