PANEL OKS PLAN TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO COLD MEDICATIONS

Ingredient is used to make illegal drug

BATON ROUGE -- Legislation that would limit public access to the
over-the-counter medications used in making illegal drugs like crystal meth
passed a Senate committee Tuesday.

The Judiciary C Committee gave unanimous support to Senate Bill 24 by Sen.
James David Cain, R-Dry Creek, sending the measure to the full Senate. The
components for making crystallized methamphetamine, a dangerous stimulant,
are commonplace in some cold and sinus medications.

"We are not going to be able to stop it completely, but if we save a few
lives, many lives, it will be worth it," said Cain, who told the panel that
crystal meth manufactured in illegal labs has become "the drug of choice in
Louisiana."

He said he has compromised the bill as much as he can to accommodate
retailers and pharmacists.

As Cain's bill goes to the Senate floor, it would limit to three the number
of packs of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, ingredients in some cold and
sinus medications, that can be displayed at a pharmacy or retail store at
any time, although a pharmacy would be allowed to keep packs under the
counter. The bill also would prohibit customers from buying more than three
packs of the drugs in any 30-day period but exempts the sale of gel caps and
liquid cold and sinus products containing the drugs because, Cain said, they
cannot be used to make crystal meth.

The bill also would require the shelf where the drugs are displayed to be
within 30 feet of the cash register and within the "direct line of sight" of
a pharmacist or clerk. It would require a surveillance camera to be trained
on the shelf area and videotapes kept at least 15 days.

If a retailer decides not to have a video camera monitor the sales, a
retailer must require the buyer to produce a photo ID, sign a log indicating
the date of the purchase, the buyer's name and age, and the amount bought.
The bill sets a fine of up to $500 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for
repeat violations.

The bill also would outlaw the possession of anhydrous ammonia in a
nonregistered container. Possession of the ammonia for making crystal meth
can be punished by up to two years in jail, a fine of $2,000 or both, Cain
said.