Res. No. 866-A
Resolution calling upon the Governor of the State of New York to consider enacting legislation declaring psuedoephedrine, an essential ingredient in the making of methamphetamine, a controlled substance in order to restrict the of sale of over-the-counter cold medicine containing this ingredient, and further calling on the federal government to support the “Combat Meth Act of 2005.”
By Council Members López, Comrie, Fidler, Gerson, Gonzalez, Nelson, Perkins, Seabrook, Vann, Quinn, Gennaro and The Public Advocate (Ms. Gotbaum)
Whereas, Methamphetamine (meth), also known as crystal meth, “tina” and “ice,” is a toxic, addictive stimulant that produces temporary hyperactivity and euphoria; and
Whereas, Meth comes in various forms, including powders, crystals or tablets; and
Whereas, According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), meth is highly addictive, with some experts stating that users can become dependent after just one use; and
Whereas, Recent studies have shown that meth is more dangerous to the brain than heroin, alcohol or cocaine; and
Whereas, According to the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the number of New Yorkers seeking treatment for meth addiction continues to rise, with 1,152 meth users seeking treatment in 2003, up 24% from 2002 and 59% from 2001; and
Whereas, Meth can be easily produced in small home laboratories with common household chemicals and cold medicines, and recipes can be accessed on the Internet; and
Whereas, Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that relieves nasal discomfort caused by colds, allergies and hay fever, is also a key ingredient used to produce meth; and
Whereas, The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have introduced the “Combat Meth Act of 2005” (H.R. 314 and S. 103), which would regulate the sale of psuedoephedrine by declaring it a controlled substance, allowing the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine only in pharmacies, not in grocery or convenience stores; and
Whereas, Pursuant to this legislation, customers purchasing products containing pseudoephedrine would have to buy the medicine from a pharmacist, show photo identification and sign a log book; and
Whereas, Approximately twenty states are also considering legislation that would restrict the purchasing of common cold medicines that contain psuedoephedrine; and
Whereas, The state of Oklahoma classified psuedoephedrine as a controlled substance in April 2004, and since the law’s passage, seizures of meth laboratories have fallen 81 percent; and
Whereas, The state of New York, has introduced legislation (A. 00215 and S. 484), which would make the sale of more than three (3) containers of certain medication containing pseudoephedrine unlawful, but does not label pseudoephedrine as a controlled substance; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Governor of the State of New York to consider enacting legislation declaring psuedoephedrine, an essential ingredient in the making of methamphetamine, a controlled substance in order to restrict the of sale of over-the-counter cold medicine containing this ingredient, and further calling on the federal government to support the “Combat Meth Act of 2005.”
LS# 2482
JC/MDP
08/31/2005