POLK LEADERS SUPPORT LOCKING UP METH INGREDIENTS

Polk County supervisors are prepared to better control sales of
methamphetamine's main ingredient, though they prefer that the Legislature
take statewide action this year, members said today.

In their first hearing of a proposed ordinance to restrict sales of
pseudoephedrine, supervisors voiced support for a measure requiring
retailers to lock up products containing the popular decongestant or place
them behind retail counters. If the ordinance passes after two additional
public hearings, it would likely take effect around April 1.

The state Legislature is expected to act later this year on a statewide
measure that would make pseudoephedrine, a drug found in dozens of
over-the-counter medicines, a controlled substance. As currently proposed,
all liquid and tablet forms of the drug would have to be sold in pharmacies.

The ordinance being proposed in Polk and several other central Iowa
counties would still allow buyers to purchase pseudoephedrine products in a
mix of retail outlets. However, they would only be allowed to buy up to 192
pills or tablets at a time.

Both the statewide proposal and the county proposal would require buyers to
show identification and sign a log that could be accessed by law
enforcement. A review of the log, however, would likely require that police
obtain a warrant or subpoena first.

While a representative from the state's pharmacy association cautioned
against a "piecemeal" approach to the problem, two Des Moines residents
spoke in favor of the county ordinance at its first reading Tuesday.

"Meth is a scourge," said Bob Mickle. "Anything we can do to cut down and
limit the production of meth ... would improve the health of the county."