COLD MEDS GO BEHIND COUNTER

New Texas Law Restricts Sales Of Drugs That Have Key Ingredient For Meth

LUBBOCK (AP) - Some cold and allergy medicine is a little harder to
purchase in Texas under a new law restricting sales of products containing
a key ingredient used to make methamphetamine.

The law, which took effect Monday, requires pharmacies to keep items
containing pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters. Buyers must provide
identification, and pharmacies must keep a record of sales of products
containing pseudoephedrine and ephedrine for two years.

The law applies to several products, including Tylenol Sinus, Sudafed,
Claritin-D, Advil Sinus, Alka-Seltzer Cold, Coricidin Cough & Cold and
Dristan Sinus. The restrictions do not apply to liquid or gel forms.

State Rep. Leo Berman, R-Tyler, who wrote the legislation, said he's hoping
to stem an epidemic of meth use, manufacture and dealing.

"The problem is meth is not treatable," Mr. Berman said. "Once the brain
cells are destroyed, it's almost impossible to get off meth. You can get
off cocaine, you can get off heroin. You cannot get off meth."

Seizures by the Department of Public Safety from 1992 through 2003 show
that the drug's use has increased dramatically. About 5,409 grams were
seized by DPS in 1992. By 2003, the number had grown by about 1,100 percent
to 65,970 grams, the figures show.

Five years ago, 3,634 users went into Texas treatment centers for
methamphetamine abuse; by 2004 that number had risen to 8,145, according to
the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The problem is nationwide, especially in rural areas.

On Thursday, federal legislation with similar restrictions of products
containing pseudoephedrine cleared the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee
after lawmakers forged a compromise protecting state prerogatives.

In Texas, some consumers applauded the new law but questioned its
effectiveness.

"I don't necessarily think it's going to help," said Megan Smith, 22, of
Lubbock. "They'll find something else to use."

Mr. Berman said the law won't eliminate meth in Texas because drug cartels
in Mexico will still bring it over the border. But it will help eliminate
the environmental and health hazards in clandestine meth labs operating
across the state, he said.

The Texas law is modeled after one passed in Oklahoma, where in the first
two years meth lab busts were reduced by 80 percent.

The law carries an administrative penalty of $1,000 per violation per day,
with a maximum of $20,000, for retailers who violate the law.

One woman leaving a Lubbock drugstore Monday was offended at the prospect
of giving the pharmacy her name.

"The taking of people's names is really, really uncalled for," Maureen
Gibson said. "But I understand the purpose."

The law allows no more than two packages or 6 grams of pseudoephedrine or
ephedrine-containing products to be sold to the same person in a single
transaction.

It also allows authorities to remove children in homes where
methamphetamine is being made.

One woman called the law a start.

"And you have to start somewhere," said Devon Mora, a Houston resident
visiting Lubbock.