A CUT IN SUPPLY LINES

The war on drugs isn't always fought on the streets. Sometimes it's
done over the counter.

Fact is, the ingredients for producing methamphetamines can be had at
the drug store, grocery store or convenience store: One of the main
ingredients can be ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, found in some
leading cold and allergy medications such as Sudafed and Actifed.

So, it's awfully difficult for law enforcement officers to nip meth
labs in the bud, since ingredients for the highly addictive and
destructive drug are legally available over the counter.

Law enforcement needs help.

As a result, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment have teamed up to launch the
"Kansas Retailer Meth Watch Program."

Under the program, retailers voluntarily agree to take steps to make
it more difficult for meth makers to purchase or steal the components
for the drug, which KBI director Larry Welch says is at epidemic
levels in Kansas. Indeed, the statistics speak volumes: In 1994 there
were four meth labs busted; last year, the number was 702. This year
it's about two a day.

The retailers are taking various steps to ward off meth makers,
including moving the items behind the counter and questioning
suspicious buyers. Supplies on the shelf also may be limited -- and
displays of the coveted products may be placed in areas unfriendly to
shoplifters.

It's not going to prevent meth production in Kansas. But making it
more difficult to buy the ingredients is nothing to sneeze at.