Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jan 2006 Source: Brooks Bulletin, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2006 The Brooks Bulletin. Contact: http://www.brooksbulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2917 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada) METH MOVE IS TIMELY When Calgary police Chief Jack Beaton visited the Herald editorial board recently, he talked about how crystal meth is such a dangerous drug that even the addicts on the street are staying away from it. Anything that can be done to save young lives from this terrible scourge should be done. The Alberta government has moved with laudable swiftness to take preventative measures by ordering that 17 over-the-counter decogestants with ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as their main ingredient must find a new home behind the counter. The new rule is necessary because a voluntary program wasn't effective, with some pharmacists confused about which medicines could be left out on the shelves. Removing these drugs from easy access won't solve the entire problem, but along with the additional treatment beds opened for addicts, it is a welcome part of a multi-pronged approach to combating the evils of this particular drug. - Calgary Herald - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom