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State Representative David Dill
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2190
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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Rep. Dill votes to strengthen meth laws Over- the-counter drugs Actifed and Sudafed would be banned
In a strong showing of bipartisan support, the House voted yesterday to strengthen the laws regarding the manufacturing and sale of methamphetamine (meth), a highly addictive drug that is increasingly linked to violent crimes and can cause brain and organ damage.
Rep. David Dill (DFL-Crane Lake) strongly supported the bill effort and voted for the bill, recognizing that many of the meth labs are located in Greater Minnesota and pose a serious safety threat in these areas.
"I believe this bill is a step in the right direction for law enforcement," said Dill. "About 20 percent of meth is made in the state, most of it in labs in rural Minnesota."
Dill spoke to the sheriffs in St. Louis, Lake and Cook County to better understand the dynamics of the problem. "This is a real problem for this area," said Dill. "I was pleased that I could help work towards a resolution."
An amendment to the bill that bans the sale of over-the-counter drugs such as Actifed and Sudafed passed after long deliberation on the floor. These nasal decongestants, which contain pseudoephedrine, are a key ingredient in the manufacturing of meth.
The bill also strengthens the penalties that are already in place and introduces new clean-up requirements and tough penalties associated with meth-related crimes involving children and vulnerable adults.
"While this is strong first step, it isn't perfect," said Dill. "I would like to see more protection added for landowners who unknowingly have people cooking meth in rental property, sometimes even in cabins."
People convicted of manufacturing meth will have to pay restitution to property owners for cleanup costs, but ultimately, the landowner is still responsible.
It is also estimated that the stronger penalties could lead to a need for as many as seven new prisons in the state. Funding for these prisons and higher law enforcement and court costs is not included in this bill. There is also no funding for treatment.
"The extremely addictive power of this drug creates new addicts every day," said Dill. "Besides limiting its availability, we need to warn people about the dangers of meth and help those who fall victim to it."
"We have to do more than just lock these people up."
Please feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions. You can call me at 1-800-339-0466, write to me at 315 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155 or email me at rep.david.dill@house.mn.
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