Springfield, IL – The Illinois Senate approved important legislation recently intended to dramatically reduce access to an ingredient necessary for the production of methamphetamine, said State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac).

Senate Bill 273 was supported by Attorney General Lisa Madigan as a way to reduce the prevalence of methamphetamine laboratories in Illinois by limiting access to cold medicines containing the power form of pseudophedrine, a main ingredient in methamphetamine. The initiative requires these medications to be kept behind the pharmacy counter and dispensed by a pharmacist. It also calls for any person who wishes to purchase the medication to show photo identification and provide a signature, and mandates that an individual must by older than 18 to buy medicine containing psuedophedrine.

“In 1997, 24 methamphetamine laboratories were found in Illinois . In 2004, law enforcement located 959. Methamphetamine use and production is an epidemic that is spreading throughout Illinois ’ rural communities, particularly in the central and southern regions of the state,” said Rutherford . “Restricting the drug manufacturers’ access to one of the drug’s key ingredients will undoubtedly impact the number of methamphetamine producers in this state, and hopefully lessen the devastating impact this drug continues to have on so many Illinois residents.”

Senator Rutherford said that the legislation was modeled after an Oklahoma initiative that reduced methamphetamine labs by 80% within six months of the law taking effect. Similar legislation in Missouri and Iowa has also proven successful in preventing the manufacture of methamphetamine. Unfortunately, as a result of the enhanced laws in the states surrounding Illinois , Illinois has seen an influx of out-of-state drug producers traveling across state lines to take advantage of the less restrictive drug laws.

“The flood of drug manufactures traveling from surrounding states just to buy psuedophedrine from Illinois pharmacies leads me to believe that restricting access to the medicine will very possibly curb production of the narcotic in Illinois ,” Rutherford said. “Obviously we have a long battle ahead in terms of eliminating the methamphetamine epidemic in Illinois . However, I’m hopeful that Senate Bill 273 will cause methamphetamine producers to think twice before setting up shop in Illinois .”

Senator Rutherford said that Senate Bill 273 now proceeds to the Governor for final consideration and approval.