Pubdate: Sun, 03 Feb 2008 Source: Wausau Daily Herald (WI) Copyright: 2008 Wausau Daily Herald Contact: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/contactus/readerservices/letter-to-editor.shtml Website: http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1321 Author: Jeff Starck Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) PHARMACY LIMITS SLOW PRODUCTION OF METH, POLICE SAY Pseudoephedrine Purchases Lead To Recent Busts A 2-year-old state law that limits the amount of pseudoephedrine a person can buy has slowed manufacturing of methamphetamine in Marathon County, according to police and pharmacists. Pseudoephedrine is a common ingredient available in over-the-counter remedies such as Sudafed or Advil Cold & Sinus. To buy products that contain it, however, a person must sign a log that tracks sales. The state allows a person to buy up to 7.5 grams of the drug within a 30-day period. Pseudoephedrine is a common ingredient in the production of methamphetamine, an addictive and illegal stimulant that can harm the central nervous system. The restrictions make it difficult for people to manufacture the drug locally. "We don't get the intel or see the labs like we used to," said Lt. Gary Schneck, who heads the Marathon County Sheriff's Department's drug investigation unit. Drug investigators review the drug logs and rely on tips from the public, pharmacists and other officers to track large purchases of pseudoephedrine, Schneck said. A Schofield man was charged with a felony last month after Everest Metro police saw his name repeatedly on drug logs at pharmacies in Weston, Rothschild and Wausau. The man bought 23.5 grams between Nov. 23 and Jan. 3, sometimes stopping at three pharmacies a day, according to a criminal complaint. Another Schofield man was charged Friday after buying 11.4 grams from Nov. 18 to Dec. 28 in Weston and Rothschild. Mike Scheidecker, head pharmacist at Trig's Pharmacy in Wausau, said he has refused sales to customers in the past because of excessive purchases, but it is rare. Thefts of the cold medications are down after the law forced pharmacies to put them behind the counter, he said. In addition, Sudafed has begun selling products that no longer contain pseudoephedrine, he said. Although the number of arrests and cases involving homemade meth was down in 2007, crystal meth -- a purer form of the drug -- still is commonly found and used in Marathon County, Schneck said. He thinks most of it is being transported through Chicago and the Twin Cities from Mexico. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath