15 April 2005

Governor Sebelius signs Sheriff Matt Samuels Act into law
Bill to limit access to meth ingredients named for fallen sheriff

WICHITA, Kan. – Flanked by members of the Kansas law enforcement community, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today signed the Sheriff Matt Samuels Chemical Control Act into law during a ceremony at the Sedgwick County Historic Courthouse.

“One of the greatest sources of danger for law enforcement today comes from meth labs. We must step up our fight by making it harder for criminals to obtain the ingredients of this deadly drug,” Governor Sebelius told the assembled crowd. “The Sheriff Matt Samuels Chemical Control Act is a crucial weapon in our fight against meth.”

The bill, SB 27, will limit access to certain cold pills that are key ingredients of methamphetamine. It is named for the late Sheriff Matt Samuels, whose wife Tammy participated in the ceremony.

Sheriff Samuels was killed in the line of duty while serving a warrant at a Greenwood County residence in January. Unbeknownst to Samuels, the residence housed an active meth lab.

The bill reduces the number of over-the-counter cold pills containing ephedrine and psuedoephedrine a person can purchase at one time. It also requires customers to show photo ID and sign a register when purchasing the regulated medicines.

“This act will make it harder for meth makers to obtain a key ingredient by placing certain cold pills behind the pharmacy counter and by limiting the number that can be purchased. And the law’s requirement that a photo ID be produced when buying these medicines will serve as a deterrent, since these criminals seek to hide in the shadows,” the Governor said.

During the bill signing ceremony, the Governor also thanked members of law enforcement community for their willingness to put themselves in danger on behalf of their fellow citizens.

“The true strength of our laws comes from those who enforce them, the men and women who step forward every day to protect us. They know the danger, and yet they still answer the call. We owe it to them to do everything we can to reduce the risks they face in the line of duty,” Governor Sebelius said.

Several states around the country have passed or are considering similar legislation. The bill was modeled after a law in Oklahoma, which has experienced a sharp decrease in the number of active meth labs as a result of these restrictions.