Thursday, 08 July 2010 06:03

Huber Meth Bill Passes Major Hurdle

slide3-huber_meth_bill_passes_major_hurdle.pngSacramento – AB 640 by Assemblymember Alyson Huber is one step closer to becoming law after passing the Senate Public Safety Committee. AB 640 would enhance current sentences on individuals convicted of selling methamphetamine by imposing a minimum jail term of 120 days as a condition of probation, similar to penalties currently faced by cocaine and heroin dealers. “Methamphetamine use is at a crisis point in the state, and in my own district meth has a greater impact on public safety than other drugs,” said Assemblymember Alyson Huber. “One of the ways we can break the cycle of use is by cracking down on the dealers that sell the drugs. If the meth pushers are behind bars, drug addicts and drug infested communities can cleanup and break the cycle of drug abuse.” Californians make up 40 percent of all meth treatment admissions nationwide. While estimates are difficult to confirm, data suggests that more than two million Californians age 12 or older (7.3 percent) have used methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime. In Assemblymember Huber’s district, a narcotics task force team in Amador County reported 118 investigations in 2008, 46 (39%) of which involved meth. By contrast they had 8 heroin cases, 1 cocaine case. “I have seen first hand the devastating impact meth has on our communities. Like so many other communities in this state and in the nation, we have found methamphetamine to be the underlying cause of such criminal offenses as domestic violence and child endangerment, “said Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan who supports the bill. “I applaud Assemblymember Huber for her commitment to public safety and look forward to continuing to work with her to improve the safety of our communities.” Current law requires those convicted of the sale of cocaine, heroin, or PCP to serve at least 180 days in jail as a condition of probation, but existing law does not have a similar provision for those convicted of the sale of methamphetamine. Therefore, a person convicted of the sale of methamphetamine could be granted probation and not serve one day in jail. Supporting AB 640 are County Sheriffs from Huber’s Assembly District, Amador County Sheriff Martin Ryan and San Joaquin County Sheriff Steve Moore. In addition, the California District Attorneys Association, California Peace Officers’ Association, California Police Chiefs Association, California State Sheriffs’ Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California and the San Joaquin County District Attorney James Willet are also supporting the bill. AB 640 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee. TSPN TV Report This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.