TAKE STEPS AGAINST METH

On Feb. 23 Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, chaired a hearing in Madison
that brought together leaders in law enforcement, drug treatment, pharmacy
and consumer health care to testify about the serious problem rural western
Wisconsin is experiencing methamphetamine labs and the increase in its use.

As an 11-year member of the Pharmacy Exam Board, I am very aware of the
over-the-counter products used to make meth. After attending this hearing,
I wanted to share some of the information with you.

A doctor from the L. E. Phillips-Libertas Treatment Center in Chippewa
Falls stated how deadly the drug is to the addict.

Law enforcement personal testified to the increase in crime in western
Wisconsin. This past summer a rural meth lab was discovered in Clark
County. We have also had an increase in crime and arrests in Clark County.

There are things our lawmakers can do to slow meth production.

Over-the-counter products used to make meth should be kept in a restricted
area such as behind a pharmacy counter or service-related area similar to
how cigarettes products are handled. Require that all purchasers of
products containing pseudoephedrine show a photo ID and sign a log for a
purchase history. There should be a three-package limit per month.

This will not prevent users from going to different stores, but the meth
user is a very paranoid person. This will slow them down and may alert
local law enforcement. Also, the logs can be used in criminal cases.

This type of control has slowed the production of meth in other states.

Drug education in schools is key. This drug is different and deadly. You
just need a program with pictures. The before-and-after photos of meth drug
users are a very powerful visual tool.

Charlotte L. Rasmussen

Public member, State Pharmacy Examining Board,

Stanley