(Columbia) April 13, 2005 - South Carolina's
meth bill is modeled after legislation that
passed in Oklahoma last year, and designed to
help cut back on the manufacture of the drug in
South Carolina.
This year stats from that state show there
are 80 percent fewer meth labs. In December
2004, deputies uncovered a meth lab at a Calhoun
County home. Inside, they found toxic chemicals
next to a baby in a playpen.
A month later in Lexington county they staged
another meth bust. Both times officers find cold
pills containing pseudo-ephedrine, the main
ingredient used to make meth, and something
anyone can buy over the counter.
Pharmacist Davis Hook says, "I really didn't
realize it was a problem here until the last six
months that they have found some meth labs
here."
South Carolina pharmacists like Davis Hook
are seeing the popular decongestant disappear
from their shelves. Law enforcement
officers believe more and more people are
buying the drug in large amounts to make meth.
Hook says, "Pseudoephedrine is an excellent
decongestant, one of the best on the market.
Unfortunately because of this abuse, I
believe we have to protect the
public."
A bill in the State House would put medicines
made mainly using pseudo-ephedrine behind the
counter. You would have to ask for the medicine,
show a picture id, then sign a registry to buy
it.
So what happens if it's late at night and you
need some cold medicine but the pharmacy is
closed? Well, the way the bill is written you
should be able to buy the medicine. That's
because any employee in a store, like Wal-mart
or Publix, could sell the drug to you, not just
the pharmacy.
Customers WIS talked with are open to
the plan. Cindy White says, "It's an extra step
but if it's going to help curb people abusing
the drug, I think it's not a bad thing at
all."
Consumer John Mintz says, "As long as I
can buy the product I don't have any
problem with them restricting it."
Lawmakers are hoping the
restrictions will cut back on what many say
is a growing problem in South Carolina.
Reported by Catherine
Reynolds
Posted 11:30pm by Chantelle
Janelle
