Pubdate: Fri, 02 Sep 2005
Source: Bluefield Daily Telegraph (WV)
Copyright: 2005 Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Contact:  http://www.bdtonline.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1483
Author: AP

WARNER, LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCE ANTI-METH MEASURES

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Some over-the-counter cold and allergy remedies will be
moved behind the counter starting next month, and you'll have to show
identification and sign a register to buy them.

Gov. Mark R. Warner signed an executive order Thursday to limit and track
the sales of certain nonprescription drugs that can be used to manufacture
illegal and highly addictive methamphetamine.

Earlier in the day, House Speaker William J. Howell of Stafford County and
other Republican legislators said they will back legislation to make the
restrictions a state law. Warner's regulations will take effect Oct. 1 and
would be replaced by the statute on July 1, 2006.

The regulations will limit the amount of medicine containing pseudoephedrine
- - such as Sudafed - that a person can buy in a 30-day period. Warner said he
expects about a dozen products to be affected.

State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube said he envisions limiting
purchases to 7.5 grams, which is roughly 250 regular-strength tablets per
month, although that is one of many details to be worked out as the
regulations are developed this month.

Warner said 37 states have imposed similar restrictions and that they have
been remarkably effective in reducing the number of meth labs in many of
those states.

The Virginia attorney general's office has a voluntary program, Meth Watch,
that trains retailers to watch for and report suspiciously large purchases
of pseudoephedrine, iodine, drain cleaners and other items used to make
methamphetamine. Also, the General Assembly passed legislation last year to
toughen penalties for meth manufacturers.

However, officials said more must be done.

"We need to act now to stop this scourge in Virginia," Warner said at a news
conference, where he was joined by Stroube and several law enforcement
officers from across the state. "I will not allow Virginia to become a haven
for meth labs, for meth users."

State police said 47 meth labs have been busted this year, down slightly
from 53 at the same time a year ago. Last year's total was 82.

Warner said one-fifth of meth labs are discovered only when they catch fire
and explode. The labs - often in motel rooms or apartments - create a highly
toxic mess that Col. W. Steven Flaherty, superintendent of state police,
said typically costs $3,000 to $10,000 to clean up.

Howell said in a teleconference with reporters that methamphetamine has
supplanted OxyContin abuse as the state's fastest growing drug problem, and
the problem is spreading after first appearing in southwestern Virginia.

"No region of the commonwealth is immune to the devastating effects of this
drug," Howell said.

Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, will sponsor the legislation. Howell said
details will be worked out by a task force consisting of legislators, law
enforcement officers and industry representatives.

Laurie Peterson, president of the Virginia Retail Merchants Association,
said she welcomed the opportunity to weigh in on the proposals.

"Our concern is that we don't overreach," Peterson said, citing the possible
burdens on both mom-and-pop stores and pharmacists who are overwhelmed
during cold and flu season.

Concerns about the impact on small businesses led to the demise of Kilgore's
legislation earlier this year to allow only pharmacists to sell
pseudoephedrine. The GOP legislators and Warner said minimizing the burden
for small businesses will be a priority in developing the new initiatives.

Kilgore's twin brother, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore,
has favored the voluntary approach of the Meth Watch program that he created
as attorney general. Campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh said Kilgore has no
objection to the new efforts as long as the interests of small businesses
are protected.

Kilgore's Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine, said he supports the
initiative. 
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MAP posted-by: Josh