METH IS TREATABLE

Re: "Cold meds go behind counter - New Texas law restricts sales of drugs
that have key ingredient for meth," Tuesday news story.

Bad information makes for bad laws, and Rep. Leo Berman's information is
terrible. "The problem is meth is not treatable," Mr. Berman said. "You can
get off cocaine, you can get off heroin. You cannot get off meth."

This is absolutely untrue. Carol Falkowski, research communications
director for the Hazelden Foundation, says, "There's a false but widespread
belief that methamphetamine treatment is ineffective. ... There are
effective treatments."

Putting cold medicines behind the counter will cut down on the dangerous
production of methamphetamine in homes and motel rooms. The demand will be
satisfied by dangerous methamphetamine imported from Mexico and elsewhere.
Only regulation and treatment will solve the problem.

Suzanne Wills

Drug Policy Forum of Texas

Dallas