LP GA: Bill to Monitor Prescription Drugs Should be Defeated

3/18/10 A bill in the state legislature could compromise your privacy if you use certain prescribed or over-the-counter medicines, says the Libertarian Party of Georgia (LP Georgia).

Similar legislation was shot down last year by the Georgia Senate after privacy concerns were brought to light. However, it is back this session with opponents to personal privacy determined to pass it.

SB 418, which was referred to last year as the Georgia Prescription Monitoring Program Act, would create a database to monitor certain prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as Ritalin, Xanax, most pain medications, sleep aids and any product containing pseudoephedrine.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard the legislation this morning, and passed a substitute, likely placing it on the calendar before Crossover Day (Thursday, March 25th).  

“Both the Georgia and United States Constitution are very clear on the individual’s right to privacy and due process,” says LP Georgia Legislative Director Jason Pye. “We’re calling on Senators to do the right thing and kill this bill again.” 

Paragraph XIII of the Georgia Constitution states, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue except upon probable cause supported by oath or affirmation particularly describing the place or places to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.” 

The Georgia Supreme Court has consistently held that privacy is considered a fundamental constitutional right in Georgia and is “recognized as having a value so essential to individual liberty in our society that [its] infringement merits careful scrutiny by the courts.” 

The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com. 

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