Pubdate: Tue, 17 Jan 2006
Source: Beaufort Gazette, The (SC)
Copyright: 2006 The Beaufort Gazette
Contact:  http://www.beaufortgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1806
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

BILL WOULD PUT COLD MEDICINES BEHIND THE COUNTER

COLUMBIA, S.C.  - Sudafed and other cold medicines used to create the 
illegal drug methamphetamine would be placed behind the counter under 
a bill that received second reading Tuesday in the House.

"They would be back there with cigarettes and lottery tickets," said 
Rep. Joan Brady, the bill's sponsor.

The bill, introduced last year, passed 93-4 on Tuesday.

The proposal affects about a dozen products that contain 
pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth. People who go into stores 
and pharmacies to buy the cold medicine would need to sign a log that 
includes their name, address and how much of the product they purchased.

Buyers would be limited to three packages, or a total of 9 grams, per purchase.

The log requirement would deter would-be meth producers from buying 
the nonprescription medicine, said Brady, R-Columbia.

She said the logs could also serve as an investigative tool if police 
discover an outbreak of meth labs and could be used as evidence in court.

Twelve states already require such logs, Brady said. North Carolina 
and Georgia recently passed similar legislation.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman