Pubdate: Wed, 01 Mar 2006
Source: Beaufort Gazette, The (SC)
Copyright: 2006 The Beaufort Gazette
Contact:  http://www.beaufortgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1806
Author: Seanna Adcox
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

BILL MEANT TO DETER METH USE HEADED TO SENATE

COLUMBIA, S.C.  - Debate on a bill that would put some cold medicines 
behind the counter and require buyers sign a log will move to the 
Senate floor, following approval Wednesday in a Senate committee.

The measure, similar to one in the U.S. Congress, would put cold 
remedies containing pseudoephedrine, such as Sudafed, behind store counters.

Methamphetamine is made with common ingredients, including the cold 
medicines, in makeshift labs that are prone to explosions. The labs 
leave behind toxic waste, and expose children to hazardous materials.

Attorney General Henry McMaster calls meth the state's No. 1 drug problem.

The proposal, approved by the South Carolina House last month, would 
require that people buying the medication present photo 
identification and sign a log that includes their name, address and 
how much of the product they purchased. Buyers would be limited to 
three bottles, or 9 grams, per purchase.

The goal is to deter meth producers from pharmacy-hopping to stock up 
on the medicines, and provide law enforcement an investigation tool.

"This is the deterrent we need on the local level," said Rep. Joan 
Brady, R-Columbia, the bill's sponsor. "These are small-time meth 
producers. They're going to be afraid of showing ID and signing a log."

Some senators wanted to get rid of the log requirement. Sen. Brad 
Hutto, D-Orangeburg, said small convenience stores in the rural areas 
he represents would simply not sell the products, rather than deal 
with the hassle.

"I know our intent is to stop the bad guys, but as a result we stop 
people with sinus problems from getting what they need," Hutto said. 
"I'm not going to make them drive all the way to Orangeburg to get Sudafed."

Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, tried to change the log requirement, 
to track sales at the wholesaler and distributor level, "rather than 
track every pack of Sudafed."

But efforts to remove the log, the bill's sticking point since its 
introduction last year, were dropped after Brady told them 
legislation pending in Congress requires it.

"Some of this argument may be beside the point," said Sen. Mike Fair, 
R-Greenville.

The reauthorization of the federal Patriot Act, which on Wednesday 
was cleared for renewal in Congress, includes an anti-meth provision. 
It, too, would put the cold medicines behind the counter, mandate a 
log and put even more restrictive limits on purchases.

It would limit consumers to 3.6 grams, or about 120 cold pills, per 
day, and 9 grams, or about 300 pills, per month. Some of the log 
specifics would be left to the U.S. attorney general.

McMaster spokesman Trey Walker said South Carolina needs to act now, 
rather than wait on the federal law, which might not take effect for 
a couple of years.

"Every day we delay is a day meth is running rampant in South 
Carolina," he said. "Folks in North Carolina are pouring into South 
Carolina to make their purchases" because North Carolina already 
requires a log.

Jim Bracewell, executive vice president of the state Pharmacy 
Association, said most pharmacies across the state already addressed 
the issue voluntarily by either assigning employees to watch over the 
cold medicines, putting them behind the counter or removing them from 
the front counter.

He said the legislation might make the price of the medicines rise 
slightly. While requiring pharmacists to keep a log specifically for 
cold medicines is an inconvenience, Bracewell said, the association 
supports the bill.

"We accept it as part of being a good citizen," he said. "We support 
it because we see how terrible this drug is. It's just devastating to 
the people who are addicted. We want to see something done about it."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman