Pubdate: Fri, 06 May 2005 Source: Charleston Daily Mail (WV) Copyright: 2005 Charleston Daily Mail Contact: http://www.dailymail.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/76 Author: Associated Press OMISSIONS FOUND IN METH LAW BECKLEY -- Some over-the-counter medicines containing an ingredient used to make methamphetamine are not covered by a new state law that aims to crack down on makeshift meth labs, U.S. Attorney Kasey Warner says. The law, which takes effect July 8, bans the purchase of more than three packages per month of any over-the-counter medicine containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine as its single active ingredient. Liquid cold medicines, gel caps, severe cold-formula caplets, powders dissolved in hot liquids and cough syrups contain pseudoephedrine, although not as the single active ingredient, Warner said Thursday. The medicines weren't included on the restricted list because past experience suggests they were unfit for making meth, but drug specialists indicate they are being detected in a more difficult meth-making process, Warner said. He called on retailers to further limit access to all cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine. "We must remain vigilant for the next step by criminals -- use of unrestricted medications and an expected influx of meth produced in both surrounding states and by Mexican drug trafficking organizations to meet lingering demand as locally produced supplies decrease," Warner said. Lara Ramsburg, Gov. Joe Manchin's spokeswoman, said the Manchin administration will monitor the meth situation. "As things change, and as people may adapt to the current legislation and law, we will obviously address those situations as they arise," she said. "But we feel very confident in the bill which was passed." The meth law also makes it a crime to possess such chemicals as iodine at a concentration greater than 1.5 percent and anhydrous ammonia with the intent to make meth. Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant that can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally. There were 222 meth lab drug busts in West Virginia in 2004 and more than 140 already this year. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh