Pubdate: Fri, 16 Jul 2004
Source: Fort Saskatchewan Record, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 The Fort Saskatchewan Record
Contact:  http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/824
Author: Chris Munkedal
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/ephedrine (ephedrine)

PHARMACIES JOIN POLICE IN METH BATTLE

Products Containing Key Ingredients To Make Meth Behind Counter

Fort Saskatchewan Record -- A local police officer praises a move by 
pharmacists to put products containing key ingredients used to make Crystal 
Meth behind the prescription counter.

"I think it's an excellent move. It's definitely a step in the right 
direction," said Const. Helen Meinzinger, spokesperson with the Fort 
Saskatchewan RCMP detachment.

Meinzinger, who is also the Drug Abuse Resistance Education coordinator, 
mentor, and facilitator for the local region, says she approached business 
owners months ago to see if they would support such a move. "I'm impressed 
it's happening as quickly as it is.

Meth has steadily become a problem in many communities over the last few 
years, and things like this take time."

Last week the Alberta College of Pharmacists, which exists to regulate the 
profession and protect the public, put out a request for Alberta pharmacies 
to move single entity ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine products behind the 
prescription counter for sale. The move means customers have to approach a 
pharmacist and request the products. The two key ingredients are commonly 
found in 'cold relief medicines.'

President of the ACP, Tracy Marsden said the request is getting a positive 
response by many pharmacies, citing Save-On-Foods, Westfair/Superstore and 
Wal-Mart have stepped up to the plate by moving their single-entity products.

Plans are in the works for Shoppers Drug Mart to have them moved within a 
month, said Marsden.

The ACP also wants pharmacies to voluntarily restrict the sale of large 
quantities of the products to 3600 mg of pseudoephedrine and 400 mg of 
ephedrine.

"It basically means somebody couldn't buy a cart-load. And that's what 
we're trying to avoid," says Marsden. "We understand we're not going to 
stop large-scale labs, but if we can help stop kids from obtaining the 
ingredients to start experimental labs, then at least we're doing 
something. We don't believe it'll conquer the problem."

Meinzinger believes a person who is buying the products for ingredients to 
make methamphetamine, is less likely to do so if they have to ask a 
pharmacist for them.

"It could work as a deterrent," she said, adding the biggest area the move 
will impact is with the theft of the products from store shelves. Sobeys 
Station Square co-owner Cindy Hughes says there were occasions in the last 
year where they've found numerous empty boxes of cold medicine products on 
the shelf.

"It comes in spurts," said Hughes, who notes the thefts have subsided since 
they put in extra security features.

The business was taking action to move products behind the counter before 
the ACP made their request.

She said the move was a suggestion that came up during methamphetamine 
business awareness workshops in April that were aimed at educating 
businesses on the severity of the drug problem locally and abroad.

"It's something we were looking at doing before the request came out," said 
Hughes. "It's good to be aware."

But at the same time you don't want to inhibit sales, adds Hughes.

She said the trouble lies in which products with similar ingredients should 
be moved.

"We're working with the police in trying to find common ground in retail."

Marsden said some pharmacies are concerned that the ACP is suggesting all 
'cold relief medicine ' products should be moved behind the counter, and 
that's not the case. "It's really a minimal amount of products that should 
be kept behind the counter."

She notes, without singling any manufacturers out, that most pharmacies 
have around six product types that contain the key ingredients. 
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MAP posted-by: Thunder