The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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August 7, 2011

Susan Redden: Koster boosts anti-meth measure

By Susan Redden Globe Staff Writer

JOPLIN, Mo. — Law enforcement officials in Missouri should keep pushing for passage of a state law aimed at limiting access to ingredients that are used to make methamphetamine, Attorney General Chris Koster said last week.

Koster made the comments in a speech to members of the Missouri Sheriffs’ Association when the group met last week in Joplin.

Koster told the sheriffs that he is pleased that dozens of municipalities and counties have adopted ordinances to address Missouri’s meth problem by making products that contain pseudoephedrine available by prescription only. The Joplin City Council, at the urging of police Chief Lane Roberts, approved such a measure earlier this year. Roberts said consumers have access to many other preparations that do not contain pseudoephedrine, and he noted that prescriptions were required for medications containing the component until 1974.

Koster noted that sheriffs, who see firsthand the threat to communities from meth-making, have pushed hard in favor of the prescription laws.

In the most recent legislative session, the Missouri House passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, that would require prescriptions for products containing pseudoephedrine. The legislation did not pass the Senate, but Koster said he is hopeful for movement next year.

“The legislation gained substantial support throughout the session, thanks to sheriffs, local prosecutors and other law enforcement personnel who are of the overwhelming belief that prescription requirements for pseudoephedrine products would bring the most dramatic resolution to Missouri’s meth crisis,” Koster said.

About 40 cities and at least four counties — most recently St. Charles County — have adopted such measures, said Nanci Gonder, spokeswoman for the attorney general’s office.

Fundraising

Gov. Jay Nixon has made countless trips to the Joplin area since the May 22 tornado, and his campaign seems to have been engaged in an equally energetic fundraising effort aimed at a second term in the governor’s office.

According to reports filed last month, Nixon’s campaign has raised $5.3 million in campaign contributions, compared with almost $3 million for Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, his likely Republican challenger.

Reports show Nixon has received some support from Joplin area contributors. But the region, a GOP stronghold, has handed over much more, and in far larger amounts, to the Kinder camp.

Joplin area contributors to the Nixon campaign listed in a report filed last month were Wilmer Gastineau, Joplin, retired, $10; Paul Teverow, Joplin, Missouri Southern State University professor, $75; Larry Neff, Neosho, real estate broker, $25,000; Lynn Ewing III, Nevada, Vernon County prosecuting attorney, $1,000; and Teamsters Local 823 Political Action Fund, Joplin, $1,000.

Local contributions were listed by the Kinder campaign from Gene Schwartz, Neosho, president of K&S Wire Products, $250; Jerry D. Hall, Monett, an executive with Jack Henry & Associates, $50,000; Hutchens Construction , Cassville, $2,400; and David Humphreys, Joplin, an executive with TAMKO Building Products, $25,000. Earlier reports noted a $100,000 donation from Ethelmae Humphreys, Joplin, TAMKO board chairwoman, and $50,000 from Sarah Atkins, Arlington, Va., a consultant to the company.

In addition to the Humphreys family, a major backer of the Kinder campaign is Rex Sinquefield, Westphalia, a retired investment banker who so far has given the campaign nearly $200,000. Sinquefield, currently backing a proposal to eliminate Missouri’s income tax and replace it with a sales tax, also is a supporter of private-school vouchers.

Susan Redden is a staff writer for the Globe. She can be reached at sredden@joplinglobe.com or 417-623-3480, ext. 7258.

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