Pubdate: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 Source: Montgomery Advertiser (AL) Copyright: 2005 The Advertiser Co. Contact: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/customerservice/letter.htm Website: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1088 Note: Letters from the newspaper's circulation area receive publishing priority Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) CURBING METH CRITICAL FOR STATE Alabamians suffering from colds might find it a bit less convenient to treat their symptoms if a bill pending in the Legislature is enacted, but that inconvenience would be well justified. The measure would be an important step in curbing what has become arguably the state's worst problem drug -- methamphetamine, often called meth or crystal meth. The drug is made in part from a decongestant found in several commonly used over-the-counter cold medications -- pseudoephedrine. By restricting the ease with which these can be obtained -- and the quantity allowed at each purchase -- it is hoped that the meth problem in Alabama can be curbed. Under the bill by Rep. Frank McDaniel, D- Albertville, cold medications in which pseudoephedrine is the only active ingredient would remain available for sale, but stores would have to keep them behind their counters or in locked display cases. Products in which this is among the active ingredients would have to be kept behind counters, in locked display cases or in areas under constant video surveillance. Customers would have to present identification and sign for their purchases, which would be limited to three packages. That may seem extreme, but it reflects the dangers meth presents in Alabama. It is unlike other illegal drugs, such as cocaine, in that it is not imported into the state and is not sold through a network of dealers. There is no Colombian cartel of meth makers. Instead, ingredients such as cold tablets, iodine, lye and matches -- all easily obtained at almost any store -- are cooked in homes or garages to produce a highly addictive and dangerous drug. To its credit, the Alabama Retail Association, which usually opposes restrictions on retailers, is supporting the bill. That's a responsible stance. The bill is not unfair to stores or to customers, who can still buy medications to treat their colds. However, by halting the sale of large amounts of these medications, some progress should be made in curbing the meth epidemic. The problem is not confined to Alabama. The legislatures of Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky and Missouri have passed similar bills this year. "You can go to Wal-Mart or a country convenience stores to make crystal meth," said Todd Sasser, a former meth maker who now operates a drug rehabilitation program in Opp. This bill will make it harder to do so. It deserves passage. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom