Pubdate: Thu, 31 Mar 2005
Source: City Paper, The (TN)
Copyright: 2005, The City Paper,LLC
Contact:  http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3080
Author: Judith R. Tackett
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

TENNESSEE TARGETS METH

Tennessee will become the first state in the nation to launch a state-wide
education campaign targeted at reducing methamphetamine use by teenagers.

Gov. Phil Bredesen made the announcement Wednesday as the strictest
meth law in the nation went into effect in Tennessee. Bredesen was
joined by Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Parnership for a
Drug-Free America.

Pharmacists now have 30 days to control the sale of products
containing methamphetamine precursors, which includes sinus and cold
medications such as Sudafed. Non-pharmacy retailers have until today
to cease the sale of such products.

Pasierb said two pilot projects in Phoenix and St. Louis have been
proven successful and clearly showed that the involvement of parents
was essential in keeping teenagers from trying meth.

Methamphetamine is so potential that one use has the power to alter
brain chemicals, bill sponsor Sen. Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey) said.

The education campaign, which will consist of an intense advertising
and public relations effort targeting parents and teenagers, is funded
by a grant from the Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Bredesen said the new meth law strikes the right balance with
increases in penalties, control of precursors, online registries of
offenders and a pilot program with Judge Seth Norman's Drug Court in
Davidson County.

If residential drug treatment proves successful, Bredesen said, he
would look into spreading similar programs throughout the state.

"This administration and I personally view methamphetamine as one of
the most serious threats we face in Tennessee today," Bredesen said.

The new law will affect consumers in that they won't be able to buy
more than three packages of products that are considered precursors of
meth. The Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Tennessee Bureau
of Investigation will determine what products or categories of
products can be used to manufacture meth.

Currently, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine, which
are found in cold and sinus medications are listed as precursors.

Only licenses pharmacies can sell the products, which within the next
30 days will have to be moved either behind the counter or in a locked
case.

In addition, purchasers must present their I.D. and pharmacists will
maintain an electronic record of the sale or a written log.

Tiffany Bruce, manager of media relations of Walgreens, said in 2002
Walgreens voluntarily limited the sale of products containing
pseudoephedrine to two packets at the counter.

"We will be diligent in our compliance with the law," Bruce said. "We
realize . there will be law-abiding cold sufferers in Nashville that
will be a bit inconvenienced, but we will do everything we can to make
sure that those customers are able to get the medication they need."

Tom Zazzi, owner of Belle Meade Drugs, said he agreed that something
had to be done about the meth problem. Zazzi said pharmacists will do
a good job in controlling the sale of meth precursors.

However, the new law also brings additional costs that will not be
reimbursed.

"I'm going to have to free up quite a bit of space and possibly hire
somebody to keep up with the registry," Zazzi said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin