Legislature(2005 - 2006)BUTROVICH 205
03/30/2005 08:30 AM Senate JUDICIARY
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing – Select Committee on Legislative Ethics | |
| SB106 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| = | SB 106 | ||
SB 106-SALE OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND PRECURSORS
8:45:13 AM
SERGEANT TIMOTHY BIRT, Alaska State Troopers, testified in
support of SB 106. Methamphetamine (meth) contributes many
dangers to the community, although chemicals used to make meth
have legitimate retail uses. Byproducts of combining the
chemicals are toxic, flammable, explosive, and create toxic
residues that contaminate dwellings. There are 150 recipes for
manufacturing meth, which are easily obtainable online.
8:47:54 AM
One hundred percent of the meth manufactured in Alaska is
manufactured from diverted Pseudo Ephedrine (diverted from
legitimate use to an illegal drug).
SENATOR GUESS asked Sgt. Birt to comment on a suggested limit
for legitimate personal use.
SERGEANT BIRT said the Alaska State Troopers would prefer a
limit of six grams. The lower threshold would have more of a
significant impact. The State of Oregon has a nine-gram
threshold and report they haven't seen much of an impact on meth
labs. The State of Iowa recently went to a seven and a half
threshold.
8:49:44 AM
SENATOR FRENCH asked Sgt. Birt the amount of meth that can be
made out of nine grams of Pseudo ephedrine.
SERGEANT BIRT answered from nine grams of Pseudo ephedrine, six
and three quarters grams of meth can be derived.
SENATOR FRENCH asked the amount an addict doses.
SERGEANT BIRT responded an addict divides one gram into ten
portions and one portion is equal to one dose.
SENATOR FRENCH asked the street price of one gram of meth.
SERGEANT BIRT answered $150 dollars.
8:51:30 AM
SENATOR FRENCH commented nine grams of Pseudo ephedrine converts
to approximately $1,000 dollars worth of meth. He said the
committee was concerned with protection of people who
legitimately use the product. He asked Sgt. Birt to explain how
an officer would identify a meth lab.
SERGEANT BIRT advised officers normally rely upon more than one
indicator. Exceptional amounts of Pseudo ephedrine packages and
certain types of solvents, along with unusual amounts of lye and
sulfuric acids would be an indicator.
8:54:13 AM
Various cooking items such as hotplates and Pyrex dishes with
residues, fans, hoses, tubing, gas generators all indicate
evidence of manufacturing.
SENATOR FRENCH commented Oregon has a savings clause in its meth
statutes, which say the law doesn't apply to someone whose use
is consistent with typical household use. He wondered whether
Alaska should have a similar savings clause.
SERGEANT BIRT agreed that would be a good idea.
8:56:40 AM
MS. CINDY BUELLER, pharmacist, representing the Alaska State
Board of Pharmacy testified in support of SB 106. The board
encourages limiting the sale of Pseudo ephedrine for the purpose
of stopping the production of methamphetamines. It is a
relatively small inconvenience to the public.
8:59:57 AM
MS. BUELLER stated pharmacists do not want to lock up multi-
ingredient products because meth cookers do not use those
products to make meth.
9:01:22 AM
SENATOR FRENCH asked whether it is impossible to make meth out
of multi-ingredient products.
MS. BUELLER answered Washington state legislation suggests it
would be a substantial hurdle.
SERGEANT BIRT commented meth cookers prefer to use single Pseudo
ephedrine sources. It is possible to create meth from multi-
ingredient products but it takes a higher level of chemistry
knowledge.
9:02:53 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS asked Sgt. Birt whether it is a threat to have the
combined products readily available on retail shelves.
SERGEANT BIRT stated his experience is meth cooks utilize cold
tablets primarily.
9:06:09 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS commented there was no reliable information
indicating the presence of other products would block the
chemical process of producing meth using multi-ingredient
products.
SERGEANT BIRT agreed. He asserted SB 106 would significantly
impact meth labs.
9:07:30 AM
SERGEANT BIRT continued once register logs were made available
to law enforcement it would provide tremendous help.
9:09:59 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS asked Sgt. Birt whether he has information from
Oklahoma to indicate the registry log has been helpful.
SERGEANT BIRT said Oklahoma has seen a significant impact in the
reduction of meth labs.
CHAIR SEEKINS asked the economic profile of the average meth
cooker.
SERGEANT BIRT revealed they were normally low-income renters,
with numerous junk vehicles surrounding residences that contain
junk and clutter inside and outside the residence.
9:12:38 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS asked the motivation for manufacturing meth.
SERGEANT BIRT responded addiction and money. A $100 investment
can quickly and easily turn into $1000.
CHAIR SEEKINS asked Sgt. Birt whether he has seen large
quantities of Pseudo ephedrine purchased over the Internet and
shipped into Alaska.
SERGEANT BIRT responded no.
9:15:17 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS asked whether there was a way for a shipping
company to know the contents of a package they are shipping.
SERGEANT BIRT responded he did not know.
9:17:54 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS voiced concern there may be other supply routes to
research for future legislation.
9:19:51 AM
SERGEANT BIRT agreed. He is aware that Pseudo ephedrine can be
purchased online but currently it is purchased in-state using
existing retail outlets.
SENATOR FRENCH asked the Oklahoma experience since their meth
legislation.
SERGEANT BIRT responded Oklahoman has noticed an increase in
Pseudo ephedrine sales in adjoining states.
9:22:43 AM
CHAIR SEEKINS expressed concern SB 106 would restrict retailers
in Alaska but would leave the wholesale door wide open.
9:24:07 AM
SENATOR GUESS asked Ms. Marlena Adams to testify.
MS. MARLENA ADAMS testified in support of SB 106. Her experience
as a meth addict caused her almost insurmountable pain and
suffering.
SB 106 was held in committee.
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