Press Release: Senate reclassifies methamphetamine, increases penalties for delivery of certain drugs
May 13th, 2009
SALEM – The Senate passed legislation this morning reclassifying meth to a higher schedule for controlled substances and increasing the penalty for manufacturing or delivering certain drugs when they play a role in a person’s death. Senate Bill 728 passed the Senate 26-2.
“Our caucus has a commitment to cracking down on drug-related crime,” said Deputy Senate Majority Leader Laurie Monnes Anderson (D-Gresham). “Drugs can destroy neighborhoods and families. We take this issue very seriously and will continue to fight against drug abuse.”
The reclassification of methamphetamine as a Schedule I controlled substance means the drug is considered to have a high tendency of abuse and has no accepted medical use. Other examples include Heroin, Ecstasy, and LSD.
“Meth use is a serious problem in communities across Oregon and it should be treated as such,” said Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SB 728 also increases the penalty for manufacturing or delivering a Schedule IV controlled substance if the substance plays a substantial role in causing a death from six months imprisonment and a $2500 fine to five years imprisonment and a $125,000 fine. Examples of Schedule IV drugs include Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, and Ambien.
“Especially as more people begin using prescription drugs for recreational purposes, we need to make sure that those who act recklessly are held accountable,” said Prozanski.
The bill will now go to the House for consideration.
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