Full Senate Approves Bill to Fight Meth Imports

The full Senate has given its approval to legislation targeting drug runners who bring meth into Oklahoma from super labs in Mexico. Senate Bill 1713, by Sen. Charles Wyrick, could land major importers behind bars for life.

“We’ve had tremendous success in reducing the numbers of illegal meth labs in our state by placing limits on the purchase of medicines that contain the ingredients needed to make methamphetamine,” said Wyrick, D-Fairland. “Now we need to address the other source of meth—the major importers.”

Under SB 1713, anyone convicted of importing one or more pounds of methamphetamine would face a penalty of 10 years to life in prison. The legislation is part of Governor Brad Henry’s “Mission MethNet.” The program is aimed at giving law enforcement new tools for the war against meth while providing more prevention education as well as a treatment specifically for meth addiction.

Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs said there is a need for stronger penalties.

“We’ve spent literally months and devoted hundreds of man hours investigating and prosecuting major meth runners only to see them spend less than a couple of years behind bars, then they’re back out on the street, and back to importing meth,” Woodward said.

Wyrick said meth is one of the most dangerous drugs ever to plague this country because of how quickly users become addicted and how drastically it can change their personalities.

“Police and drug counselors will tell you there is nothing like meth in terms of how quickly this toxic drug takes over people’s lives—it turns users into violent addicts who neglect their children and will steal, even commit murder, when they’re in the grips of this poison,” Wyrick said. “We need to do everything in our power to stop this deadly drug in its tracks.”

SB 1713 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.