Pubdate: Fri, 10 Mar 2006
Source: Austin Business Journal (TX)
Copyright: 2006 American City Business Journals
Contact:  http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3283
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

RANDALLS RESTRICTS ACCESS TO 'METH'-MAKING PRODUCTS

Beginning this month, Safeway Inc. -- parent of the Randalls grocery 
store chain -- reduced the number of products containing the 
decongestant pseudoephedrine, a major ingredient used in the 
production of methamphetamine.

 From 75 such products sold in stores operated by the Pleasanton, 
Calif.-based supermarket chain a year ago, the number has dropped to 
17. The remaining products can be sold only by a Safeway pharmacy, so 
a store without a pharmacy can sell only cold and flu products that 
don't have the ingredient.

"Reducing the number of products available and by placing these 
behind the pharmacy will do a great deal to ensure their use only for 
legitimate purposes," says Laree Renda, a Safeway executive vice president.

Last June, Safeway became the first major grocery company to 
voluntarily move such products to secure locations within its stores. 
Many other chains have followed suit to limit legal access to the 
pills, used in the manufacture of the addictive controlled stimulant.

Safeway (NYSE: SWY) operates 1,775 stores throughout North America, 
including 112 Randalls and Tom Thumb stores in Texas. Last year, 
Safeway closed 26 Randalls and Tom Thumb stores in the Austin, Dallas 
and Houston areas, including a location in North Austin.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman