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Ill. Wants Educators, Others to Learn Smell of Meth
April 12, 2005

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News Summary

"Scratch and sniff" cards impregnated with the scent of anhydrous ammonia could be distributed to Illinois teachers and other school employees to familiarize them with the smell of a key ingredient in making methamphetamine. The goal: to help educators and staff at schools and daycare centers ID children who have been exposed to meth.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported April 10 that state House lawmakers approved a bill that would see the cards distributed statewide.

"Most people haven't smelled meth," which smells like cat urine, said bill sponsor Rep. Michael P. McAuliffe (R-Chicago). "Not too many people know about this drug, and it's everywhere ... The teacher might say, 'How many cats do you have at home?' The student could say, 'We don't have any cats.'"

Thus alerted, educators could inform police about their suspicions, leading to an investigation or a search of the child's home. Sen. Bill Haine (D-East Alton) said that the cards were an intriguing idea, but he balked at the idea of police launching an investigation based on a smell. "It's interesting. It could be helpful," Haine said. "It's certainly a novel approach."

The state House Republican Methamphetamine Crisis Task Force came up with the idea for the cards. However, no such cards currently exist.

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