DRUG'S INGREDIENTS EASY TO GET AT PHARMACIES

A voluntary program designed to keep methamphetamine's main
ingredient out of criminal hands has few takers in Calgary, based on
a sample of local stores.

The Herald visited 20 retailers earlier this week and found only
eight had moved decongestants containing pseudoephedrine behind the counter.

"Perhaps it's time for us to remind pharmacists how important this
is," said Karen Wolfe, president of the Alberta College of Pharmacists.

The college launched the program in July 2004, listing 17 products it
wanted pulled from shelves and placed behind the counter. The process
to make methamphetamine uses household solvents and chemicals
available in stores, but the drug comes from pseudoephedrine or
ephedrine extracted from over-the-counter decongestants.

In the U.S., where meth has been a serious problem longer, lawmakers
have begun taking steps to monitor and restrict sales of cold remedies.

Washington state requires all products with pseudoephedrine or
ephedrine to be behind the counter. "The answer is easy for us:
control ephedrine. Period," said Sgt. Ken DeMello of the Washington
State Patrol.

Canadian jurisdictions, including B.C., are contemplating following
Washington's lead.

In Alberta, a recently formed task force headed by Premier Ralph
Klein's wife, Colleen, will try to come up with strategies designed
to fight the spread of methamphetamine.