The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Opinion

Discussion

November 6, 2009

Tougher purchase rules will curb abuse of pseudoephedrine

Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics continues the fight against methamphetamine production, and we support those efforts.

The latest part of the effort came with a new initiative to curb the illegal use of pseudoephedrine, a cold medicine ingredient often used in the production of meth.

Now, if you want to buy pseudoephedrine at pharmacies you will have to provide a birth date, as well as full name and a state-issued identification number.

The new rule was in response to meth cooks using fake or altered identification cards to purchase pseudoephedrine. New rules have made it tougher on meth cooks, so they have taken new measures to get the ingredients they need, including using fake or multiple identification cards to purchase more pseudoephedrine than allowed by state law.

Five years ago, Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to require medications containing pseudoephedrine to be taken off store shelves. The medications are placed behind pharmacy counters and sold only to people who present photo identification and sign for the medicine.

Since then, more than 20 other states and the federal government have passed similar laws.

The time may come when pseudoephedrine is available by prescription only. There already has been discussion in the state Legislature to do just that. However, so far it’s just been talk.

Unfortunately, the new rules make it tougher on law-abiding people, but it’s a price we have to pay because of law breakers.

Text Only
Opinion