DEA and WalMart announce partnership to reduce the availability of OTC drugs
used in clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine in the U.S.

WASHINGTON(BW HealthWire)April 9, 1997The Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) and WalMart have formed a partnership to control
largescale purchases of three key overthecounter (OTC) products,
pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine, used in the clandestine
manufacture of methamphetamine and amphetamine (a).

After meeting with DEA representatives at a national meeting of WalMart
pharmacy managers in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 16, 1997, WalMart management
moved to restrict sales of these allergy/cold/diet preparations which have
been diverted from legitimate use and seized in clandestine labs throughout
California, Western, Southwestern and Midwestern states.

According to DEA Administrator Thomas A. Constantine, "WalMart has proven
itself a leader in corporate responsibility. It is refreshing to work with
WalMart executives who pride themselves upon being `a good neighbor' and
voluntarily doing what is right."

WalMart's VicePresident of Corporate Affairs Jay Allen added, "Like the
customers in our communities, WalMart associates are concerned with the
growing issues of drug abuse, as well as the fire and chemical hazards and
environmental damage caused by clandestine methamphetamine labs.

"As a responsible retailer, WalMart is proud to partner with the DEA in
supporting efforts to curtail illicit manufacture of methamphetamine in the
U.S."

Methamphetamine is quickly becoming the growth drug of the 1990s. Known on
the street as "crank," "ice," and "speed," methamphetamine is a dangerous
manmade stimulant that results in the same addiction cycle and
physiological trauma associated with crack cocaine. It has been called
"poor man's cocaine" because it is cheaper and provides a longer lasting
high than cocaine.

In addition, it can be injected, smoked, snorted or taken orally, making it
increasingly attractive to casual users and young people.

Methamphetamine and amphetamine are produced in clandestine labs using
pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine in the U.S. and Mexico.
Although these groups are still involved in the trade, drug trafficking
criminal organizations from Mexico have begun to dominate the market in the
United States.

Traditionally, the suppliers of methamphetamine in the U.S. have been outlaw
motorcycle gangs and independent traffickers. Methamphetamine has spread
from California and the Southwest to the Midwest and Southeast where
clandestine labs have been discovered by law enforcement.

According to Constantine, "WalMart, the nation's largest employer, is
setting an example of community concern by implementing a chainwide policy
limiting the sales of these allergy, cold and diet products. These controls
are aimed at drug traffickers.

"Cold and allergy sufferers, as well as dieters, will not be inconvenienced
or harmed and should not see any changes in making their purchases in
WalMart stores."

WalMart's current initiative is even stricter than federal regulations
stipulated under the second phase of the Methamphetamine Control Act of
1996, which will go into effect on Oct. 3, 1997.

These regulations will impose controls on sales of pseudoephedrine and
phenylpropanolamine products (ephedrine products were controlled under the
first phase of the act.) WalMart's triggerlevel is 34 times more
stringent than the regulations require.

The cash registers in every WalMart, some 2,300 across the country, have
been programmed to limit sales to 36 packages of these items per customer.
In addition, they are discontinuing the 100count bottle of their `Equate'
brand 60 MG pseudoephedrine tablets that have been found at illicit labs,
replacing it with smaller blisterpacks.

WalMart's initiative also limits the sale of blister packs which will
generally be exempt from the new federal regulations. And finally, they are
posting signs in all their stores informing customers about WalMart's
cooperation with the DEA.

"WalMart is breaking new ground with this initiative and we hope that other
retailers will follow their lead," Constantine concluded. 0 (a) Note:
Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine are used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Phenylpropanolamine is used to produce amphetamine. Although amphetamine
abuse is a problem in the United States, methamphetamine abuse is by far the
greater problem.

CONTACT:

Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington

James McGivney, 202/3077977

or

WalMart Spokesperson

Alex Clarke, 501/2734314