Pubdate: Sat, 06 Aug 2005 Source: Leader-Herald, The (NY) Copyright: 2005 - The Leader Herald Contact: http://www.leaderherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2276 CONGRESS SHOULD STAY OUT OF STATES' WAY Methamphetamine, a highly addictive and dangerous drug, has emerged as the leading law enforcement and social welfare problem in many states. It also poses, because meth "cooks" leave remains of highly toxic labs, a serious public health and environmental threat. That's why many states now severely restrict sales of the decongestant pseudoephedrine, the ingredient absolutely necessary to make meth. Methamphetamine, a highly addictive and dangerous drug, has emerged as the leading law enforcement and social welfare problem in many states. It also poses, because meth "cooks" leave remains of highly toxic labs, a serious public health and environmental threat. That's why many states now severely restrict sales of the decongestant pseudoephedrine, the ingredient absolutely necessary to make meth. Illegal manufacturing and use of methamphetamine is a leading cause, in many states, of property crimes and homicides. It is responsible for a huge portion of child foster care placements. Those meth users who don't travel a straight line to self-destruction also impose large costs on state Medicaid programs. Because meth is so easily made and is almost instantly addictive, it is quite unlike any other illegal drug use epidemic in memory. The congressional reaction to the meth tsunami, if one is to believe the spin, is to "get tough" by enacting national restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine. Meth legislation is a case study in the worst sort of Washington influence peddling. Major grocery and drug stores chains, who like to cast themselves as members of the communities where they do business, have their national associations, most prominently the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, doing their dirty work. And the drug company lobbying comes primarily from a handful of companies that failed to take action to convert their product lines to effective alternatives to pseudoephedrine. The irony of the industry's fight against pseudoephedrine regulation is that there is no need for this dangerously misused product to remain in the marketplace. An equally effective alternative, called phenylephrine, is readily available. Responsible manufacturers of cold and allergy medications, such as Procter & Gamble and Pfizer, already have begin the process of converting their brand-name products, such as Sudafed-PE and the Vick's brand, to phenylephrine. Most manufacturers of store brands are doing the same. Tough state restrictions on sales of pseudoephedrine are working, and Congress should stay out of states' way. It should be rewarding responsible retailers and manufacturers by enacting a tough regulatory floor on pseudoephedrine sales and allow states to enact more stringent rules as local conditions and the diabolical creativity of meth cooks warrant. To do anything less would be a political fraud. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth