Pubdate: Mon, 10 Jan 2005
Source: Wichita Eagle (KS)
Copyright: 2005 The Wichita Eagle
Contact: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/editorial/4664538.htm
Website: http://www.wichitaeagle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/680
Author: Randy Scholfield, for the Editorial Board

TOUGHER ON METH

Oklahoma passed a bill last year restricting the sales of popular medicines 
such as Sudafed that contain ephedrine -- a key ingredient in making the 
highly addictive and dangerous drug methamphetamine.

Already, Kansas has seen a sixfold increase in arrests of people coming from 
Oklahoma to buy medicine for meth.

That's why Kansas needs to follow Oklahoma's lead and pass a law making it 
more difficult to purchase off-the-shelf cold medicines. A recently proposed 
bill -- supported by Wichita Police Chief Norman Williams and Sedgwick 
County District Attorney Nola Foulston -- would, among other things, move 
these drugs behind the counter, and require customers to sign for them and 
show photo identification.

It would be only a slight inconvenience for cold sufferers, but a major new 
obstacle for drug pushers.
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MAP posted-by: Beth