The production of methamphetamine may be illegal, but it's not difficult for users and sellers to manufacture the drug in meth labs ranging from motel rooms to the kitchens in their homes.

Sen. Evan Bayh wants to make it much more difficult to acquire the materials needed to make meth.

While methamphetamine abuse has been a particular problem in central and southern Indiana, northern Indiana law enforcement authorities have broken up meth labs as well.

The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that meth is second only to alcohol and marijuana use in many western and midwestern states.

Bayh's bill strengthens the control of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine products, which are found in over-the-counter cold medicines and are commonly used to make meth.

The legislation requires all retailers of ephedrine -- including mail-order retailers, who are exempt currently -- to register with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The bill requires distributers of ephedrine to sell their products only to retailers who have registered with the DEA, who in turn would provide a downloadable list of certified retailers.

The proposal also closes a loophole that allowed retailers to continue selling products containing ephedrine without showing that their employees were complying with the law's requirements. Now, retailers would have to show that employees have been trained in behind-the-counter storage rules, logbook requirements and daily limits on sales.

The DEA says chronic abuse of methamphetamine can lead to psychotic behavior characterized by intense paranoia, leading to hallucinations that can be coupled with extremely violent behavior. Enough said?

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