Pubdate: Sun, 16 Jan 2005
Source: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (MS)
Copyright: 2005 Journal Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.djournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/823

CHANGING THE DRUG FORMULA

OXFORD - Mississippi law enforcement officers say Sudafed PE, which hit 
stores Jan. 10, is a step but not the end of the battle against crystal meth.

In December, the makers of Sudafed - an over-the-counter antihistamine - 
announced they were removing the ingredient pseudophedrine, an ingredient 
used in the manufacture of crystal meth.

Capt. Terry Spillers, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, said if other drug 
manufacturers will follow suit, it would definitely make it harder for 
crystal meth cooks.

However, he does not believe it will end the crystal meth problem.

"They figure out how to get what they need. That has been our problem. We 
change the law to make it tougher and they adapt and find a way to get 
around it," he said.

Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson said the Sudafed decision came out of 
pressure exerted by law enforcement across the country on the Federal Drug 
Administration to regulate or help replace pseudophedrine in over the 
counter drugs.

In another effort to make meth ingredients harder to get, a Virginia-based 
fertilizer maker announced it was adding a dye to its anhydrous ammonia 
fertilizer.

Officials from Royster-Clark Inc. said the dye named GloTell will 
discourage thieves looking to steal the fertilizer from tanks. It's an 
additive that turns anhydrous ammonia a bright, glowing pink. The pink 
color lasts through the meth making process, not only turning the end 
product pink, but also staining the noses of those who snort it, and the 
injection sites of those who shoot it. Additionally, the meth made with 
pink anhydrous is said to be inferior to the meth made with untreated 
anhydrous.

Crystal meth is the only drug that is illegal in all forms, and charges can 
be filed for possession of just a few of the ingredients or precursors 
needed to manufacture it.

Agents agree they are being aided by the laws banning possession of 
precursors coupled with strict monitoring of the sale of the ingredients 
needed to make the drug.

"That's what we are trying to do - make it harder for them to get the 
materials they need. It will not stop it, but I think it reduce it," 
Spillers said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth