PHARMACIES MOVE TO STEM FLOW OF ILLEGAL DRUG INGREDIENTS

Pharmacist Brad Blatz examines decongestant cold medicine for its
pseudoephedrine content as other boxes sit behind the Highland Green Value
Drug Mart's counter: sales restricted.

Cold medications used to make the highly addictive street drug crystal meth
will be a little harder to get in Red Deer.

Many city pharmacies are following the recommendation of the Alberta College
of Pharmacists and restricting the sale of products that contain ephedrine
and pseudoephedrine.

Pharmacies such as West Park IDA Drugs will place cold remedies that have
larger quantities (60 to 120 mg) of these stimulants behind the counter and
monitoring the quantities sold.

"This is something that we're very concerned about and we'll take the right
steps," said pharmacist/owner Dev Aggarwal, who has instructed cashiers to
also watch for multiple purchases of cold medications.

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine can be used to create crystal meth, a drug 10
times as powerful as speed. Police across the province have found numerous
makeshift laboratories in people's homes, garages and cars.

Customers at the Plaza Dispensary will have to ask pharmacist Oksana
McIntyre to bring them certain decongestants. And McIntyre will monitor "to
see if someone buys five or six boxes."

Pharmacists have the right to refuse to sell any medication if they suspect
an illicit use, McIntyre added.

"I can say, 'I'm sorry, I don't think that's for a legitimate purpose,' and
I'd be within my rights."

Brad Blatz, pharmacist at Highland Green Value Drug Mart, will also be
watchful for multiple purchases of cold remedies at his store. As well,
Blatz intends to put bulk packs of medications behind the counter.

"It would not be inconspicuous if someone tried to clear out a whole shelf
of Sudafed," said Blatz.

The pharmacists' efforts are being applauded by LaVerne Stevenson, office
administrator of the Central Alberta Methadone Program, who believes the
fight against drug addiction benefits from community-based solutions.

The Red Deer clinic now treats mostly heroin and morphine addicts. But
Stevenson believes it's only a matter of time before people hooked on
crystal meth become a larger proportion of clientele.

"I personally know there's a big problem out there," said Stevenson, who's
seen evidence of it in her neighbourhood.

Placing medications that contain higher doses of stimulants behind the
counter "puts one more obstacle in their way. . . let's hope it lessens the
problem," said Stevenson.