[media-credit name=’AJ MACLEAN/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]A series of 10 witnesses gathered at the Capitol Wednesday to hold an informational hearing on the illegal drug methamphetamine, advocating for the proposal of legislation to prevent addiction.

State Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, chairman of the Assembly Criminal and Homeland Security Committee, organized the hearing.

Current treatment of methamphetamine addiction has created concerns in the state, primarily because of the large expense involved in caring for addicts.

While alcohol detoxification takes approximately 48 hours, methamphetamine takes between 90 and 120 days, according to Dr. Shawna T. Kovach, Program Coordinator at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls.

The drug, sometimes referred to as a “body bomb,” releases high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine into the body, resulting in a drug-induced high. This can create paranoia and Schizophrenic tendencies. But over time, methamphetamine reduces the level of dopamine, creating Parkinson’s-like symptoms.

“Methamphetamine is strictly a dangerous, man-made drug,” Kovach said.

Consumption of the drug can cause stroke, due to increased heart rate and blood pressure. Addicts can never recover to normal, said Kovach.

Other symptoms include anorexia, bipolar disorder, hallucinations and aggression. Methamphetamine addicts will go to all costs to relieve their addiction, according to Kovach.

“After the first time you use methamphetamine, you are an addict,” she said. “Nobody gets off of [the drug] without legitimate treatment.”

Kovach recommended that the active methamphetamine ingredient pseudoephedrine, which is typically found in common cold medicines, should be restricted to pharmacies.

She also recommended that photo identification be required so officials can trace purchases.

Putting methamphetamine behind the counter would shutdown homemade labs, giving police more control, Eau Claire Police Chief Jerry Matysik said.

As of right now, methamphetamine is relatively cheap to both produce and purchase, resulting in a large profit margin, he added.

Pharmacies are looking for a policy that offers legitimate customers pseudoephedrine and yet still halts drug addicts. While some are advocating for a signature log to trace addicts, others believe this will not help find the drug abusers.

The signature log only applies to individual stores, so addicts would not be deterred, said Shopko Senior Vice President of Retail Health Mike Bettiga.

Methamphetamine addiction has increased by 100 percent, especially in the northwest parts of Wisconsin, according to Kovach. However, other parts of the state will see this increase as well if legislation is not enacted quickly, Kovach said.

One of the largest centers for methamphetamine distribution is the Twin Cities, and Minnesota and Iowa are already endorsing laws against the drug. Matysik said Wisconsin faces the threat of invasion from addicts if the state does not follow suit.

“Anybody in a responsible position should be looking to do what they can to solve this problem,” said St. Croix County District Attorney Eric Johnson.

Attorney General Peggy A. Lautenschlager was unable to attend Wednesday, having been “shut out” of the proceedings by Suder. Lautenschlager did not ask soon enough to speak at the hearings and was denied the ability to speak after writing a letter to Suder.

This was only the first of many meetings on methamphetamine prevention.

Lautenschlager will hold a summit March 22 and 23 to discuss strategies to combat problems associated with the drug.