Pubdate: Mon, 12 Dec 2005
Source: Tillsonburg News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc.
Contact:  http://tillsonburgnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2388
Author: Nathan Taylor, Staff Writer

PHARMACIES WORKING TO HELP PREVENT METH PRODUCTION

Meth: Opp Praise Program

Pharmacies in Tillsonburg are doing their part
to curb the production of methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine is a potentially-deadly drug that can cause
respiratory problems, irregular heartbeat and can lead to anorexia.

The National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee recently recommended
certain cold medications be rescheduled in pharmacies.

Products containing single-entity pseudoephedrine, which are used to
manufacture meth, should be moved behind the counter, the committee
suggested. These products include just about any decongestant and cold
and sinus medication.

The Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores publicly supported the
NDSAC's recommendation last week.

"CACDS is concerned about the growing problem of methamphetamine in
Canada and we have been anticipating decisions like this to restrict
access to methamphetamine precursors," CACDS president and CEO
Christina Bisanz said in a press release.

Wal-Mart pharmacy is a member of CACDS. The Tillsonburg location moved
its stock behind the counter at the first of the month after receiving
instructions from head office to do so.

"Instead of putting the drug on the shelves, we put cards that say if
you need this, come to the counter," said Wal-Mart pharmacy manager
Ahmad Jaradat. "If they're behind the counter, we're not going to sell
more than two or three of them to the same person at once."

Last year, CACDS joined others in the retail sector to introduce Meth
Watch, an education program aimed at curtailing the theft and
excessive sale of medicine containing pseudoephedrine.

Shoppers Drug Mart, also a CACDS member, hasn't taken the drugs off
its Tillsonburg shelves, but owner Dan Cotnam is still taking
precautions. Like most stores, his won't sell large amounts of
decongestants to an individual.

"(Excessive sale) was a problem a couple years ago," said Cotnam.
"There's really no need to take that much decongestant."

The products, he stressed, are within 15 feet of the counter and
easily visible to staff.

Zellers pharmacy manager Francis Osih has directly dealt with a
questionable customer.

"I said, 'Look, I've noticed you've been getting this for a long
time.' He was offended," said Osih.

After Osih told the man he could inform the police, the man never
returned.

"Most pharmacies generally would not immediately go to the
authorities. The first thing on our minds is to counsel and dissuade.

"The thing is to try and establish if they understand what this is
used for; find out if they're aware of the (unnatural) uses of this
product," said Osih.

Zellers pharmacy is a CACDS member, and Osih said drugs with
pseudoephedrine are not accessible to anyone if a pharmacist isn't
around.

Any action to discourage meth use is beneficial to an area where it's
use is expected to rise soon.

"We're anticipating we'll see more (meth users) in the new year," said
Linda Sibley, executive director of Addiction Services of Thames
Valley in London.

Sibley said she isn't aware of there being a significant number of
meth users in London and surrounding area.

"Ours is starting to pick up, but it's not as bad as in other areas,"
she said, using Perth County as an example.

There have been no meth labs discovered in Tillsonburg, said OPP
Const. Dennis Harwood.

"I'm sure there's some meth here, but we're not aware of any," he
said.

Harwood praised the Meth Watch program, saying it could prove helpful
to police.

"What it could do is lead us to potential meth labs. It pinpoints a
source," he said. "Once we pinpoint a source, we can eliminate it."

Coward Pharmacy is not a CACDS member, but co-owner Ian McDowell said
staff are always alert and know what to watch for.

"We've been aware of the issue for quite some time. We get pretty
suspicious of (someone seeking large quantities of decongestant)," he
said.

Drugs with meth precursor ingredients are not kept behind the counter
at the pharmacy, but are within clear view of staff.

McDowell said educational stickers and signage will be posted once the
store's renovations are complete.

"It's mostly staff education, being on the lookout for purchasing
habits," he said.

Anyone with information on possible meth labs is encouraged to call
the OPP at (519) 688-6540 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake