GOVERNOR BARBOUR SIGNS BILL TARGETING METH MANUFACTURING

Governor Haley Barbour today signed House Bill 512 aimed at restricting the purchase of a key ingredient of the illegal drug methamphetamine.

House Bill 512, which takes effect July 1, requires a doctor's prescription to purchase cold and sinus medicine containing the ingredient pseudoephedrine. The bill swiftly passed the Legislature this month with overwhelming bipartisan support.

"We are serious about reducing the use of methamphetamine in our state," Governor Barbour said. "This law is another tool for law enforcement to fight illegal drugs and protect our communities. Meth use is a problem all over the nation, and I'm proud Mississippi can lead the way in battling this drug that damages lives."

Governor Barbour thanked Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson and Bureau of Narcotics Director Marshall Fisher for the work their agents are doing in the field to shut down meth labs and for their support and input on House Bill 512.

He also praised the bipartisan cooperation that resulted in the bill's passage. "Party lines don't matter when it comes to fighting a drug as destructive as meth," Governor Barbour said. "This was truly a team effort by the Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Narcotics, and Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature to reduce the number of meth labs in our state and stop the spread of this dangerous drug."