STOP METH LABS WITHOUT HURTING CONSUMERS

When Oklahoma began regulating pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in some
cold and allergy over-the-counter medicines and in the dangerous street
drug methamphetamine, small-time meth labs went to surrounding states.
Oklahoma's problem virtually disappeared. Surrounding states had a new problem.

The mom-and-pop labs worked their way into the Midwest. Now, about 20
states, including Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa, regulate
pseudoephedrine-based cold and allergy pills. Wisconsin still does not, and
law enforcement fears we're becoming a safe haven for meth labs - with
reason. Investigators busted nine labs in Wisconsin in 1990 but about 90 in
2004.

Accordingly, Wisconsin lawmakers are cranking out proposed regulations. If
they follow another state's template, they should go with Illinois, not,
with all due respect to a pioneer, Oklahoma.

In Oklahoma, consumers have to go to a pharmacy to buy pseudoephedrine.
They have to show photo identification and sign a logbook. They are limited
to 9 grams in a 30-day period. If they need more, they have to get a
prescription.

Illinois only limits the amount of pseudoephedrine people can buy and
requires stores to keep it behind their counters.

Of the two, Illinois' is a better fit for Wisconsin. We don't want to be a
haven for meth manufacturers, but we also don't want to put unreasonable
burdens on pharmacies, groceries, convenience stores or, most importantly,
consumers.

One of the ideas among Wisconsin legislators is limiting pseudoephedrine
sales to pharmacies, like Oklahoma does. So, what happens if you're elderly
and live in one of our state's many small, rural towns? If you live in
Shiocton, for example, the closest pharmacy is in New London, nine miles
down the road.

Another Oklahoma regulation, requiring consumers to show identification and
sign a log, is a problem for pharmacists. "Pharmacists were busy before
this law took effect. Now, they have to keep a logbook and monitor sales,"
Oklahoma pharmacist Mary Ann Wagner complained to the Christian Science
Monitor. Moreover, it unreasonably intrudes on consumers' privacy. The
overwhelming majority of people who buy Sudafed are more interested in
clearing their nasal passages than making meth.

The Illinois approach - putting cold and allergy pills behind the counter
and limiting the amount customers can buy - would make buying
pseudoephedrine a hassle for meth labs without unduly burdening businesses
- -- or people who just want to stop sneezing.