Methamphetamine is a drug with devastating effects. Some state lawmakers want to curb its spread by limiting sales of ingredients to make the highly addictive drug.
Hearings on the issue were held today. Law enforcement from northwestern Wisconsin explained how the cheap and easy making of meth has affected their communities.
One legislator says more than half of meth cases in 2003 were in several northwest counties, but the problem is spreading.
People who cook meth use ingredients found in common cold medicine.
Lawmakers are considering restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine by requiring customers to purchase remedies with the ingredient from a pharmacy.
The measure also requires customers to sign for it and show a photo I.D.
State Senator Sheila Harsdorf says, "In Oklahoma, when they passed this into law, they have seen an 80-percent reduction in the number of labs in their state. That is significant.
Lawmakers say neighboring states are considering similar legislation. They say if Wisconsin fails to act, the state could see more meth labs.
