Pubdate: Wed, 01 Feb 2006
Source: Orillia Today (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.simcoe.com/sc/orillia/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1508
Author: Frank Matys
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)

COPS CLAMP DOWN ON METH MAKERS

Cold Remedies Among Targets

Police are applauding a move to restrict access to common household 
medications that can be used to produce crystal meth, a 
highly-addictive stimulant wreaking havoc in communities across Canada.

"It is definitely a positive step," said Det. Insp. Frank Elbers, 
deputy director of the OPP's Drug Enforcement Section. "Any 
controlling of it is going to help the situation."

As of April 10, grocery and convenience stores without pharmacies 
will no longer sell cough and cold medications containing ephedrine 
or pseudoephedrine -- ingredients that can be used in the production 
of crystal methamphetamine.

In addition, pharmacies are being told to move products with the 
strongest dosages behind the counter.

"The pharmacist will have to dispense it like other types of 
medication," Elbers said. "They know how much should be dispensed. I 
can't see a pharmacist agreeing to give someone 12 packs of something 
containing pseudoephedrine."

Medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine as single 
ingredients will be moved behind the counter, while those containing 
multiple ingredients will continue to be available on shelves.

The changes come at the recommendation of the National Association of 
Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities.

"This is a proactive measure to help make sure we don't get into the 
problems they are getting into in the U.S. with retail diversion," 
said executive director Ken Potvin.

A wider effort to restrict access to bulk quantities of the raw 
ingredients used to manufacture crystal meth is likely to drive 
producers to other sources, he said.

Limiting the availability of medications containing those same 
ingredients by placing them under the watchful eye of pharmacists is 
one method of curbing large-scale purchases, Potvin said.

"It is better to be ahead of the curve and try to do something that 
is reasonable than trying to deal with the devastating effects after 
the fact," he said.

Elbers said officers tasked with dismantling the highly-dangerous 
drug labs that produce crystal meth regularly find discarded blister 
packs, evidence that cough and cold medications had been used in the 
manufacturing process.

Reaction to the coming restrictions has been "all over the map," 
meeting with criticism from retailers impacted by the change and 
applause from both law enforcement and health officials, Potvin noted.

"In our eyes, it is all about balance," he added.

"It is a reasonable approach to ensuring patients have access to 
effective products, while taking measures to avoid problems of retail 
diversion for illicit purposes."

Though the authority to enact such restrictions rests with individual 
provinces and territories, Potvin said Ontario and several other 
provinces have traditionally followed the association's lead by 
immediately implementing requested changes to drug policy.

Communities and provinces that see a need for further restrictions -- 
including limits on sales and electronic tracking of purchases -- 
would have the association's support.

Pharmacies are additionally encouraged to participate in so-called 
"meth watch" programs, aimed at discouraging large-scale purchases of 
medications for illegal purposes.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom