Pubdate: Wed, 02 Mar 2005
Source: Post-Crescent, The (Appleton,  WI)
Copyright: 2005 The Post-Crescent
Contact:  http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1443
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

STOP METH LABS WITHOUT HURTING CONSUMERS

When Oklahoma began regulating pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in some 
cold and allergy over-the-counter medicines and in the dangerous street 
drug methamphetamine, small-time meth labs went to surrounding states. 
Oklahoma's problem virtually disappeared. Surrounding states had a new problem.

The mom-and-pop labs worked their way into the Midwest. Now, about 20 
states, including Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa, regulate 
pseudoephedrine-based cold and allergy pills. Wisconsin still does not, and 
law enforcement fears we're becoming a safe haven for meth labs - with 
reason. Investigators busted nine labs in Wisconsin in 1990 but about 90 in 
2004.

Accordingly, Wisconsin lawmakers are cranking out proposed regulations. If 
they follow another state's template, they should go with Illinois, not, 
with all due respect to a pioneer, Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, consumers have to go to a pharmacy to buy pseudoephedrine. 
They have to show photo identification and sign a logbook. They are limited 
to 9 grams in a 30-day period. If they need more, they have to get a 
prescription.

Illinois only limits the amount of pseudoephedrine people can buy and 
requires stores to keep it behind their counters.

Of the two, Illinois' is a better fit for Wisconsin. We don't want to be a 
haven for meth manufacturers, but we also don't want to put unreasonable 
burdens on pharmacies, groceries, convenience stores or, most importantly, 
consumers.

One of the ideas among Wisconsin legislators is limiting pseudoephedrine 
sales to pharmacies, like Oklahoma does. So, what happens if you're elderly 
and live in one of our state's many small, rural towns? If you live in 
Shiocton, for example, the closest pharmacy is in New London, nine miles 
down the road.

Another Oklahoma regulation, requiring consumers to show identification and 
sign a log, is a problem for pharmacists. "Pharmacists were busy before 
this law took effect. Now, they have to keep a logbook and monitor sales," 
Oklahoma pharmacist Mary Ann Wagner complained to the Christian Science 
Monitor. Moreover, it unreasonably intrudes on consumers' privacy. The 
overwhelming majority of people who buy Sudafed are more interested in 
clearing their nasal passages than making meth.

The Illinois approach - putting cold and allergy pills behind the counter 
and limiting the amount customers can buy - would make buying 
pseudoephedrine a hassle for meth labs without unduly burdening businesses 
- -- or people who just want to stop sneezing.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom