Pubdate: Thu, 22 Jan 2004
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2004 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Susan Parrott and Todd Moschella
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/pseudoephedrine

SALES CURBS SOUGHT ON METH INGREDIENT

Some state lawmakers want to ban sales of pseudoephedrine-containing
cold medicines from stores other than pharmacies. A House bill filed
this week aims to curb methamphetamine production by limiting sales of
over-the-counter pseudoephedrine pills to licensed pharmacies and
requiring buyers to provide a signature and photo ID. The state
ultimately could track sales by purchaser.

Pseudoephedrine in large quantities is a key ingredient in meth. The
bill would limit sales to 9 grams each month, the equivalent of 12
boxes of 24 pills, said bill author Rep. John Nance.

Gel capsules and liquid forms of pseudoephedrine, which are not easily
turned into methamphetamine, would not be regulated and could still be
sold in grocery and convenience stores.

Nance, R-Bethany, said the legislation would deter meth-making while
keeping the product available to the general public.

"We are not going to deny people the right to get a decongestant," he
said.

He said Oklahoma would be the first state to enact such restrictions,
although similar legislation is proposed in Iowa.

The Oklahoma bill will be sponsored in the Senate by Democrat Dick
Wilkerson of Atwood.

It is likely to be opposed by trade groups and drugmakers, lawmakers
said. And people living in rural areas without access to nearby
pharmacies may be inconvenienced.

"It would be such a hassle," said Carol Ayers before she entered a
local Walgreens to buy a decongestant. The convenience of buying such
medicines shouldn't be affected by those who abuse it, she said.

Mike Thornbrugh, a spokesman for Tulsa-based QuikTrip, said his
company wasn't consulted about their own internal measures to curb the
sale of pseudoephedrine, which include careful inventory checks and
purchase restrictions.

"We're disappointed the state Legislature didn't come to responsible
retailers like QuikTrip to see how we handle the situation -- they
just want to ban it," he said.

But law enforcement is desperate to curb production of meth, a highly
addictive drug that can cause permanent schizophrenia, rot teeth and
deteriorate internal organs.

Other meth ingredients include iodine, anhydrous ammonia and battery
acid.

"In law enforcement, our tongues are hanging out -- we're tired, and
we're at wit's end," said Scott Rowland, general counsel for the
Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.

Lawmakers noted the shooting death last month of Oklahoma Highway
Patrol trooper Nikky Green. Investigators say the suspect arrested in
his death was a meth addict operating a lab out of his car when Green
approached.

"We owe it to his legacy to try and make meth hard to produce in
Oklahoma," said Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon.

The bill also would:

Deny bond for defendants arrested for meth crimes if prosecutors prove
they are addicts.

Make the sale of "clean urine" a misdemeanor carrying a $500
penalty.

Require locks for storage and transportation tanks holding anhydrous
ammonia.

State legislation that went into effect in November requires
distributors of pseudoephedrine to register with the state narcotics
bureau.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin