INTERSTATE BUY WAYS: METH COOKS HEAD FOR THE BORDER

Oklahoman Editorial Border crossovers were once common in Oklahoma as the
citizens of "dry" counties in Texas and Arkansas entered our state to buy
beer or liquor. Seedy beer joints could be seen at virtually every border
crossing. Some remain. Today the trend is reversing. Oklahomans are
crossing the borders into surrounding states to get a tattoo (still illegal
here) or get a better deal on groceries (still sales-tax free in Texas). In
the latest version of the crossover phenomenon, Oklahomans are driving to
Kansas, Arkansas or Texas to buy cold tablets.

Cold tablets? Yes, over-the-counter medicines containing pseudoephedrine
are the hot commodity because pseudoephedrine is a key ingredient in the
making of methamphetamine.

Reason for the surge in out-of-state pseudoephedrine purchases is a new
state law cracking down on such purchases. Only pharmacies can legally sell
tablets containing pseudoephedrine. The amount available for purchase is
restricted, and buyers must show identification.

The law has been heralded as a model for the nation and is credited with
shutting down numerous meth "labs." For border cities, though, the law is a
boon or a bane, depending on one's circumstances.

Between April, when the law took effect, and December, 74 felony arrests
resulted from crossover pseudoephedrine purchases. Border states are
reportedly considering laws similar to that of Oklahoma. Some cities, such
as Wichita Falls, Texas, have voluntary pseudoephedrine purchase limits.
One argument against the law, an argument also used to oppose the cigarette
tax increase, was that it would merely shift pseudoephedrine purchases to
other venues. But as more states follow Oklahoma's lead, the options for
meth cooks will be further limited.

This is a case where a nationwide policy is needed. Whether that should be
done with federal law or on a state-by-state basis is open to debate, but
the policy appears to be instrumental in reducing the meth problem in Oklahoma.