Pubdate: Wed, 07 Sep 2005 Source: Gretna Breeze (NE) Copyright: 2005 Gretna Breeze Contact: http://www.gretnabreeze.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3918 Author: Christine Hollister, Breeze Editor Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) MCKINNEY'S, GRETNA DRUG MAKE CHANGES FOR LB 117 Pharmacy customers may see some changes next time they go into the drug store looking for medicine to combat that nasty cold. Changes required by LB 117, the new Nebraska "Meth law" put into effect Sept. 4, include all products containing pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient used to manufacture methamphetamine. Exempt are pediatric preparations with very small amounts of the drug marketed for children 12 years of age or younger. Products containing pseudoephedrine are now required to be kept behind pharmacy counters or in a locked case, said Gretna Drug Co-owner and Pharmacist Kyle Janssen. Common products containing the ingredient include various types of Claritin, Sudafed, Benadryl and many others, he said. "It's one of the most commonly sold over-the-counter products," Janssen said. "Anytime a person comes in to get something for a cold, more than likely it has pseudoephedrine in it." According to the Nebraska Health and Human Services System, purchasers of products containing the ingredient must be 18 years or older and show proper identification. Pharmacy workers will be required to document all pseudoephedrine purchases to ensure customers do not attempt to buy more than one box containing the product in a 24-hour period. Janssen said employees of Gretna Drug would implement the changes over the holiday weekend. McKinney's pharmacist Tony Colgrove said Friday the store has been prepared for months for changes required by LB 117. McKinney's made early accommodations for the law, Colgrove said, after an incident occurred at the store last fall. "I'm actually for the law," Colgrove said. "It needed to be done mainly because of our little experience we had last year." The "little experience" Colgrove referred to occurred about a year ago when a local couple came to the store and attempted to purchase two full baskets of products containing pseudoephedrine, Colgrove said. The store clerk did not allow the couple to make the purchase, and a deputy from the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office was alerted, he said. Colgrove said since the pair tried to purchase the products instead of steal them, they could not be apprehended. He was told by the sheriff that in the future an arrest could be made due to the combination of purchases--large amounts of pseudoephedrine-containing products, lighters and batteries--all products used to make methamphetamine. Janssen said since opening in June of 2004, Gretna Drug has not had any problems with customers attempting to purchase large quantities of products containing the drug. "I've never had anybody try to get more than one box," Janssen said. "It hasn't been a problem here." Colgrove said McKinney's has posted signs to alert customers that products are now behind the counter, and the customers have been very understanding about the products being moved. "So far it hasn't been an inconvenience for anybody," Colgrove said. Janssen said he believes the most difficult part will be getting the public used to the changes. "Stuff you've been able to buy for years over the counter you now have to buy behind the counter," he said. Janssen said other states have similar laws, and he knows of no big problems in those states. He said any small hassle will be worth it to help keep criminals from manufacturing methamphetamine. "It's going to make a little extra work in the pharmacy, but a worthwhile step to keep the public safe," Janssen said. - --- MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman