Pubdate: Fri, 25 Feb 2005
Source: Oak Ridger (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Oak Ridger
Contact:  http://www.oakridger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1146
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

TENNESSEE METH LEGISLATION WOULD LIMIT COLD TABLET SALES

CHATTANOOGA - Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen's legislation aimed at
controlling methamphetamine would put many cold and allergy products
behind pharmacy counters, restrict amounts sold and require showing an
ID to buy them.

Bredesen released the legislation Thursday in advance of a Nashville
ceremony to designate March as "Meth-Free Tennessee Month."

Tennessee consistently ranks among the nation's leaders in government
spending to clean up labs where the addictive stimulant is "cooked"
using common ingredients such as cold tablets containing the
decongestant pseudoephedrine.

Making meth creates toxic, sickening vapors, and state officials
report that each year more than 700 children are taken away from
parents caught cooking the drug.

"I think meth is a scourge and a cancer, particularily in our rural
areas right now," Bredesen said. "I see it most acutely in the several
hundred children last year that were coming into state custody because
they are part of meth households. -- This is terrible stuff."

Will Pinkston, a Bredesen aide who works as liaison to the governor's
Methamphetamine Task Force, described the legislation as "very
similar" to an Oklahoma law that has reduced meth labs in that state
by about 80 percent.

Pinkston said the bill calls for removing tablets that contain
pseudoephedrine, including those that combine that decongestant with
other ingredients, from store shelves and putting them behind pharmacy
counters.

Anyone buying pseudoephedrine tablets would have to show
identification and would be limited to "not more than three packages
or 9 grams of pseudoephedrine over a 30-day period."

Pharmacists would maintain a record of the transactions, similar to
records already kept on sales of insulin needles.

Gel caps and liquid medicines that contain pseudoephedrine would not
be restricted and would remain on the shelf in reach of consumers,
Pinkston said.

Senate Democrats endorsed the governor's plan, noting the only
resistance has come from retailers who don't like the idea of
restricting cold medicine sales just to pharmacies.

"The retailer's association is still not really on board with this,"
said Sen. Charlotte Burks, D-Monterey. "I think it would be a plus for
them to say we support this -- I don't think it would make them look
to good to fight this because there's too much at stake."

Tennessee Retail Association lobbyist Russell Palk said they don't
like the idea of excluding general retail stores from selling cold
medicine. And a provision requiring retailers to keep a log of sales
might be too burdensome.

A House sponsor, Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta, said he expected some
opposition from drug companies trying to defend over-the-counter sales
of their products.

"The public sentiment is such, I don't think the pharmaceutical
companies are going to be able to do a great deal. -- They realize
there would be damage done to their reputation," Curtiss said.

The measures also would have the Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation start a registry of properties contaminated by the
drug making. Property owners would have to have the contaminated area
cleaned by a certified industrial hygienist at their own expense to
get off the list.

Pinkston said the legislation increases criminal penalties and closes
a loophole that has allowed some people making the drug to avoid
felony penalties by claiming it was for their own use.

Health professionals would be required to report meth-related burns or
other injuries to law enforcement, similar to the requirement for gun
and knife wounds.

Bredesen's recommended budget includes about $7 million related to
meth, including $2.4 million for increased criminal penalties, $1.7
million to start a drug court pilot project, $1.5 million for a public
awareness campaign and $600,000 to provide training for law
enforcement and other first responders.

Bredesen said there wasn't enough money available this year to pay for
additional long-term treatment for meth addicts, but hopes to do more
of that in the future. He said it's first important to put users in
jail so they at least have a chance to kick the habit.

Lawmaker Curtiss described meth making and abuse in Tennessee as the
worst social problem in his lifetime.

"When an attorney gets sick sitting by a defendant, that's a pretty
bad drug," Curtiss said.

Meth bill similar to Oklahoma law

FIGHTING METH: Gov. Phil Bredesen unveiled his anti-methampethamine
legislation, which is based on a successful law in Oklahoma.

WHAT THE BILL DOES: Puts cold and allergy pills containing
pseudoephedrine - the key ingredient of meth - behind pharmacy
counters. It also restricts the amounts sold and requires an ID to buy
them.

WHO'S OPPOSED? Tennessee Retail Association, saying some restrictions
are too burdensome.

WHAT NOW? Legislation now sent to committee in the House and
Senate.

On The Net: www.methfreetn.org
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin