Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jan 2005
Source: Kansas City Star (MO)
Copyright: 2005 The Kansas City Star
Contact:  http://www.kcstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/221
Author: David Klepper
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

TO COMBAT METH, KANSAS MULLS RESTRICTIONS ON DECONGESTANTS

TOPEKA - You may soon have to sign a form and show identification when
buying popular decongestants in Kansas as part of the state's efforts
to fight methamphetamine.

Lawmakers gathered Thursday to announce a plan to restrict the sale of
over-the-counter tablets containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient
in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a highly addictive and
dangerous illegal drug often called meth.

Sudafed, Actifed, Nyquil and more than 300 other products contain
pseudoephedrine. The rules would not apply to those products when sold
in gel-tab or liquid formulas, which are not easily used in meth production.

The new rules would require buyers to present identification and sign
their name at the pharmacy. Also, the proposed law would prohibit the
purchase of more than 9 grams of the products within a month. That's
the equivalent of about three regular-sized boxes of most drugs.

That would discourage many meth manufacturers from making the drug in
Kansas, according to Sen. Derek Schmidt, an Independence Republican
who is leading the effort.

Oklahoma and Oregon passed similar laws last year. Missouri, Nebraska
and 22 other states also are considering them this year.

In 2003, Oklahoma police seized an average of 103 meth labs per month.
Since the law went into effect in April 2004, that number has gone
down to 56.

If Kansas doesn't pass the law, meth manufacturers from other states
may find it easier to do their shopping in the state, Schmidt said.

John Kiefhaber, of the Kansas Pharmacists Association, said his group
was studying the proposal but had not yet decided whether it will
support the plan.

The bill already has the sponsorship of 20 senators - one short of the
number needed to pass it.

Legislators said the bill should pass quickly once the legislative
session starts next week.

"We want to move it across the Senate floor as quickly as possible,"
said Sen. John Vratil, a Leawood Republican.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin