CLOSE LOOPHOLES ON ILLEGAL ACCESS TO MEDICINES

Federal statistics cite a 24 percent decline in Illegal drug use by
American youth since 2001. Overall marijuana use among teens is down
by 25 percent with more notable decreases in the use of ecstasy (down
by half) and meth, which has dropped by 64 percent.

The decline in illegal drug use represents 860,000 fewer young people
using drugs today. But the favorable data is offset by an alarming
growth in the misuse of prescription drugs. John Walters, director of
the Office of National Drug Control Policy, says that 2 million teens
abuse prescription drugs, with an estimated 2,500 youngsters turning
to them every day. Such drugs are the major source of abuse for 12-
and 13-year-olds.

While many obtain them from home drug cabinets, they are also readily
available on the Internet through "rogue" pharmacies that make it
easy for minors to obtain controlled substances. In a news
conference, Mr. Walters cited the excessive distribution of the drug
hydrocone from "34 known or suspected rogue Internet pharmacies."

Television advertising has heightened awareness about the
availability of the drugs in homes, particularly from unused
prescriptions. Over the weekend, President Bush drew attention to the
illegal online sales of drugs in calling for Congress to enact
legislation to restrict access and tighten controls on filling prescriptions.

Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Jeff Sessions of Alabama
have introduced such legislation, which has cleared the Judiciary
Committee. One requirement would be to require valid prescriptions
that have been issued while under a doctor's care. Doctors would be
required to conduct an in-person examination of a patient before
issuing a prescription.

There would also be additional online identification requirements for
pharmacies and increased penalties with provisions for criminal
prosecution in federal courts.

However, the online pharmacies can also be a legitimate source of
drugs in a competitive world with consumers, especially the
uninsured, in search of the lowest cost.

"The Internet has brought about tremendous benefits for those who
cannot easily get to a pharmacy in person," President Bush said.
"However, it has also created an opportunity for unscrupulous doctors
and pharmacists to profit from addiction."

The challenge will be to deter the latter without interfering with
legal and legitimate drug purchases.