TARGET TOOK IMPORTANT STEP IN WAR ON METH

Target Corp. took an important step recently by removing cold, allergy and
cough remedies from its shelves and selling them only from pharmacy counters.

The reason for the move was to keep the medicines out of the hands of
criminals who use them to make methamphetamine. Another reason was the
growing number of state and local restrictions on the sale of the medications.

The restrictions apply to all over-the-counter drugs containing
pseudoephedrine, including children's medicines, tablets, liquids and gelcaps.

With methamphetamine production on the rise in Kentucky and many other
states, it is vital that everything is done to make it harder for
manufacturers to get the ingredients they need to make meth.

The new policy won't take effect for the next two to three months and
roughly 300 stores that don't have pharmacies will discontinue selling the
medicines.

Target in Bowling Green is one of those stores that doesn't have a pharmacy.

Michael Wyatt, human resource director for our local Target, said the
decision is a good one.

Wyatt said his store currently allows customers to purchase two packages of
these medicines at a time.

He said that not selling the products in 60 to 90 days won't affect business.

Target, which operates 1,330 stores in 47 states and is the nation's second
largest retailer behind Wal-Mart, is the first national retailer to make
such a critical move and for that they should be commended.

We hope that other major retailers will follow suit in an effort to curb
this growing epidemic that is destroying so many lives across this country.

In a situation as serious as this, it would be a shame for other retailers
to put profit above doing what is morally right. We have no problem with
these medicines being in a pharmacy in these stores where they can be
monitored, but having these types of medicines readily available in our
retail stores for anyone to purchase is unacceptable.

Target has taken a bold step. Now it's time for others to fall in line.