Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jul 2005
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2005 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Sharif Durhams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LAW ENFORCERS LOOK FOR KEYS TO CONTROL METH

Bills Aimed At Keeping Pseudoephedrine From People Who Make Drug

N.C. law enforcement officers aren't the only ones who want to make 
consumers sign for their Sudafed.

But state lawmakers are having a tough time deciding how much restriction 
is too much.

West Virginia last week became the latest state to require purchasers to 
present a picture ID when they get Sudafed and other cold medicines 
containing pseudoephedrines. A law that would impose similar restrictions 
nationwide is expected to get a hearing in a U.S. Senate committee this week.

North Carolina's attorney general wants a similar law. Other states claim 
huge drops in meth busts once they impose tight restrictions.

The state Senate has passed N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper's plan that 
would allow only pharmacists to sell the tablet form of the drug. 
Pharmacists would keep it behind the counter.

But grocers, convenience stores and other retailers that don't have 
pharmacies are against the pharmacist-only restriction. They're presenting 
an alternate bill that would require all stores to lock up the drugs and 
sell only limited quantities.

The retailers have found several sympathetic lawmakers on an N.C. House 
subcommittee that's pushing to make a recommendation to the full committee 
and the full House in the next two weeks.

"I don't want anyone to think we're soft on meth makers," said Rep. Earline 
Parmon, D-Forsyth. "I'm concerned about access."

Several subcommittee members, including Rep. Karen Ray, R-Iredell and 
Lorene Coates, D-Rowan, have raised questions about the burden Cooper's 
legislation would place on pharmacists.

Cooper's staff repeatedly argue that many drugs with pseudoephedrines 
(those in liquid or capsule form) would be exempt under the proposed law 
because N.C. meth cooks don't tend to use them.

They admit meth cooks might adapt if the tablet form of the drug is taken 
off shelves.

They might have to come back and ask the state to pull the other forms of 
the drug behind drug store counter as well, said Greg McLeod, the attorney 
general's legislative liaison.

Right now, the state is trying to use a less restrictive approach, McLeod 
said. "We're just trying to solve the problem in North Carolina," he said.
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