STORES ASKED TO HELP BATTLE METH

Police are recruiting local merchants to help stem the production of
methamphetamine - a drug police say is booming in popularity in part
because its ingredients are so easy to get.

Cold pills, lighter fluid and lithium batteries are used in producing meth.

"Think of all the stores you can stop in and purchase these precursors,"
said Sgt. Chuck Bunn, with the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit. "They are
everywhere."

Police are working closely with businesses to raise awareness if people are
buying large quantities of the drug's ingredients, Bunn said.

A few stores have established a three-box limit on cold pills and similar
limits on other products needed for manufacturing the drug.

"Our problem is, they can still drive right down the road, buy three more
boxes and keep on going until they have what they need," Bunn said. Once
all the ingredients are gathered, the person "cooks" the meth.

Jeff Palmer, agent-in-charge at the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics' Tupelo
office, said people like to use the drug because it gives them a quick rush
that sometimes lasts for days.