A state representative from Decatur is pursuing legislation that would make Sudafed a prescription drug. Currently, Sudafed is available over the counter. Representative Micky Hammon says this makes it the product of choice for people who make methamphetamine.
Decatur Police busted a meth lab at a house a couple of weeks ago at a home on Chestnut Street, and two children were taken from there.
Hammon says this bill could shut down meth labs for good.
“You must have that ingredient or you cannot have a meth lab,” said Rep. Hammon.
Sudafed contains the drug pseudoephedrine, one of the main ingredients in methamphetamine.
Representative Hammon has patterned his legislation after a bill in Oregon. Hammon says once Sudafed became a prescription drug there, police were able to shut down approximately 96% of the state’s meth labs.
“The ones that they have found in the last couple of years have been remnants of old meth labs. They’ve only had about three in the last couple of years that were new meth labs,” said Rep. Hammon.
If this bill is going to work, though, other states are going to have to join the trend to make Sudafed a prescription drug.
“The more states that are on board, the higher percentage in reduction of meth labs we’ll have,” said Rep. Hammon.
Representative Hammon says doesn’t see much opposition to this legislation except for maybe drug companies.
They are already offering an alternative for Sudafed over the counter, that cannot be used to make meth.
Rep. Hammon is hoping to introduce the bill when he gets to Montgomery and make it a priority for passage this session.
