OPATZ TO SPONSOR BILL LIMITING SALE OF COLD MEDICINE

ST. PAUL -- Rep. Joe Opatz announced Thursday he would seek to restrict the
sale of one of the ingredients used to make methamphetamine.

Opatz, DFL-St. Cloud, said he is sponsoring a bill that would allow only
pharmacies to sell pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and two other similar
over-the-counter medication, and only in tablet form.

The bill would limit an individual's purchase of Sudafed or similar
medication to no more than 9 grams a month without a prescription.

A buyer would have to show photo identification and sign to make the purchase.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension would have the authority to inspect a
store's sales records and buyers' signatures.

Opatz's proposal is similar to restrictions proposed Thursday by Attorney
General Mike Hatch and state Senate DFLers, and a new Oklahoma law.

"By keeping these substances in the hands of pharmacists, we may be able to
help control some of the tools that are used to make this illegal drug,"
Opatz said.

Minnesota is one of the few states that does not restrict the sale of
pseudoephedrine tablets such as Sudafed.