Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jan 2003 Source: Sullivan Independent News, The (MO) Copyright: 2003 Sullivan Independent New, Inc. Contact http://www.sullivannews.com/ Feedback: http://sullivannews.com/articles/publish/contactus.shtml Author: James B. Bartle CRACKDOWN ON METHAMPHETAMINE BEGINS WITH NEW ORDINANCE In a matter of days, the Sullivan City Council will give law enforcement in the city a little more bite when it comes to cracking down on methamphetamine producers. The council is expected to approve a new ordinance Tuesday, February 4, that will restrict the sale of certain products containing the ingredient ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine within the city limits of Sullivan. The new ordinance was first brought to discussion several weeks ago when city attorney, Matt Schroeder, was presented with the request from Franklin County legal council. An effort is being made, not only statewide but in many local communities and counties, to curb the sale of ingredients used to produce the number one drug of production in Missouri. The new ordinance would make it city law that any business in the city of Sullivan selling products that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine must limit the sale of the product and keep the product in an area where it must be requested and/or blocked by a physical barrier that separates the product from access by customers. The ordinance also requires that businesses that sell products containing these chemicals must report any thefts or disappearance in product, or differences in the amount of shipments, to Sullivan police within three days. The Independent News spoke with Strauser Drugs, Wal-Mart Pharmacy, and Arro Mini Mart on Friday, January 24, and asked if products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are presently removed from the shelf and placed behind a barrier where customers seeking any products containing these ingredients must ask a store clerk for the product. All three businesses indicated that they already have store policies that meet or exceed the proposed city ordinance. Tracy Head, owner of Arro Mini Mart, reported that the business has always had a policy removing these products from store shelves where customers must ask for the product. "In fact, we make sure that we receive an identification before customers can purchase any products containing ephedrine," said Head. "You must be at least 18 years old to purchase these products anyway. We also limit the sale by selling a limit of two to any one individual." The new ordinance was presented for discussion to the city council, Tuesday, with overwhelming support. City Attorney Schroeder stated that Sullivan Police Chief George Counts has read the ordinance and believed that it could help reduce production of meth in the area and agreed that the ordinance would help his department. The ordinance will now be presented for council approval and will go into immediate effect. While this will be a new ordinance in the city, it is also illegal to sell these products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine when a business knowingly supplies it for the production of illegal substances. A Bourbon businessman was found guilty this past week of selling over 3,000 boxes of ephedrine products to individuals who were knowingly producing meth. The businessman now faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The arrest and conviction of this man was made possible through an investigation by the Division of Drug Enforcement and the Missouri Highway Patrol. The Independent News is beginning a three-part series on methamphetamine, beginning this week, where focus is placed on methamphetamine and the training underway to prepare firefighters for encounters with meth labs and chemicals.