Pubdate: Wed, 25 May 2005 Source: Daily Sentinel, The (Scottsboro, AL) Copyright: 2005 The Daily Sentinel Contact: http://www.thedailysentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1681 Author: Mazie Aldrich GOVERNOR SIGNS METH BILL INTO LAW Want cold tablets? Effective, July 1, you might prefer the liquid or gelcaps if you seek ephedrine or pseudoephedrine based products. Governor Bob Riley signed the recently passed meth bill into law Tuesday morning. The new law requires all non-prescription cold tablets containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to be placed behind the counter, in a locked case, or kept under video surveillance. Purchases would also be limited to two packages or six grams at a time. Purchasers will have to sign for the purchase and show photo identification or two other forms of identification. Gel and liquid forms of pseudoephedrine will still be available anywhere over-the-counter medicines are sold. Ephedrine or pseudoephedrine is the only ingredient required to make methamphetamine, a man made stimulant that has run rampant throughout the country. Only the tablet form can be used to make meth after it is broken down in clandestine labs. A law somewhat like Alabama's was passed last year in Oklahoma. The amount of meth labs dropped drastically. Recently, Kentucky, Georgia and Tennessee and also passed meth legislation. The local legislation was introduced in the state Senate by Sen. Lowell Barron (D-Fyffe) and in the House by Rep. Representative Frank McDaniel of Albertville. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh