Pubdate: Wed, 04 May 2005
Source: Birmingham News, The (AL)
Copyright: 2005 The Birmingham News
Contact:  http://al.com/birminghamnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/45
Author: Kim Chandler
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

ANTI-METH BILLS PUT CONTROLS ON SUDAFED, OTHERS

MONTGOMERY - Sudafed and similar medicines would be kept behind store 
counters in Alabama, with customers having to show identification to buy 
them, under a proposal approved by legislative committees Tuesday.

Lawmakers say the changes are needed to clamp down on the manufacture of 
the illegal stimulant methamphetamine.

"Law enforcement just needs some help," said Rep. Frank McDaniel, 
D-Albertville, sponsor of the House version of the bill.

Under the bill, products such as Sudafed with the sole active ingredient 
pseudoephedrine or ephedrine - the key component in cooking meth - would 
have to be kept behind store counters or in a locked case.

Customers would have to show ID and sign a state register to purchase the 
pills. Drugs with multiple active ingredients could be kept on store 
shelves, but the products would have to be under video surveillance.

The proposals also would limit to two packages the pseudoephedrine or 
ephedrine that could be bought at any one sale.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved McDaniel's bill Tuesday. The House 
of Representatives State Government Committee approved a similar bill. That 
puts the proposal in line for final passage, although only two meeting days 
remaining in the legislative session.

The Alabama Retail Association had problems with an earlier proposal that 
would have put all the products containing those ingredients behind store 
shelves, but it supports the version approved by committee Tuesday.

Randy Hillman, executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys' 
Association, said prosecutors are being overwhelmed with meth-related crime.

"We can't concentrate on anything except violent felonies and 
methamphetamine. It's a scourge unlike anything we've seen," Hillman said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom