NEW STATE LAW AIMED TO CURB METH COOKERS

In an effort to crack down on the manufacture of methamphetamine (meth),
some local merchants have moved their products containing ephedrine and/or
pseudoephedrine behind the counter. Others have refused to sell the products
altogether.

Large quantities of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are key ingredients
in making meth and are often purchased from local retailers several
packages at a time.

The most popular form of the substance comes in decongestants like
Sudafed.

A new law, aimed at combating the meth problem in Alabama will require
local retailers to put medicines like Sudafed behind the counter.

"In the rough sections of Birmingham I have heard of people buying
10-15 boxes, but locally I haven't really seen it as a problem, but
that's not to say that some haven't made multiple trips to purchase
the drug," said Larry Smitherman, a pharmacist at Chandler Drug.

Smitherman added some stores he works at have already complied with
the law and Chandler's is in the process.

Over the last several months, the Chilton County Sheriff's Department
and Clanton Police department have busted several meth labs, two of
which were last week.

Clanton police were able to find a meth lab in a mobile home thanks in
large part from a tip from a clerk at a local store when two men came
in to purchase large quantities of a chemical she knew to be
associated with making meth.

Note: Sports editor Tiffany Cannon contributed to this story.