PUTTING COLD, FLU DRUGS OUT OF REACH

Over-The-Counter Sales Curb Aims At Meth

WASHINGTON - As the winter cold and flu season approaches, Congress is
nearing approval of a tough new federal law forcing popular medicines
like Sudafed and Claritin behind the pharmacy counter and limiting the
amount consumers can buy.

Following the lead of California and some other states, it's a broader
national strategy in the battle against a growing epidemic more
worrisome than coughs and runny noses: the spread of highly addictive
methamphetamine.

Many over-the-counter cold remedies contain pseudoephedrine, a main
ingredient in making the illegal stimulant known on the street as
``speed'' or ``crank.'' Law enforcement officials say it is the most
devastating drug they have ever encountered, hooking most users the
first time they try it.

Methamphetamine first surfaced as a major drug problem in California
in the 1990s and has spread to almost every part of the country. Now
the Combat Meth Epidemic Act, championed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein,
D-Calif., has been included in legislation reauthorizing the
anti-terrorism Patriot Act. The House of Representatives passed the
legislation 251-174 Wednesday.

The first federal law dealing with methamphetamine, also sponsored by
Feinstein, was passed in 1996, establishing controls over some
chemicals used to make the drug, including iodine and red phosphorous,
and increased criminal penalties for possession and distribution.
Several states, including California, have passed anti-meth laws since.

But the Combat Meth Epidemic Act would be the first federal law to
impose restrictions on consumer medications with ingredients used in
making methamphetamine -- usually in makeshift home labs.

Oklahoma law model

``It is a real problem,'' Feinstein said Wednesday. ``This isn't going
to solve it entirely but it is a giant step forward.''

The law is modeled on one in Oklahoma that has significantly reduced
production of the drug there. The restrictions are designed to make it
more difficult for people to buy large amounts of over-the-counter
medications. Among the provisions:

* Force medicines containing methamphetamine precursors
pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine behind store
counters and require purchasers to show ID and sign a log indicating
how much they are buying. Some leading retailers, such as Walgreens,
Longs Drugs, Target and Wal-Mart Stores, voluntarily moved those
medicines behind store counters earlier this year.

* Limit purchases by a person to 3.6 grams a day (30 to 120 pills,
depending on the dosage) and 9 grams (75 to 300 pills) a month.
California law limits purchasers to three packages or 9 grams a day.

* Provide $99 million a year over the next five years to police and
state and local governments to battle methamphetamine, and $20 million
in grants for rapid response teams to help children affected by the
drug's production in labs that often are volatile and toxic.

Bipartisan support

While there is strong bipartisan support for the methamphetamine
provisions, objections by some Democratic and Republican senators to
parts of the controversial Patriot Act could derail the overall
legislation when the Senate considers it later this week.

Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said Wednesday that he was
confident the bill would be passed by year's end. If the Senate does
not approve the Patriot Act, Frist said, he would look for another way
to quickly pass the methamphetamine provisions.

``Methamphetamine is a destructive and highly addictive drug that
ravages communities . . . all across America,'' Frist said at a news
conference with Feinstein and the lead Republican sponsor, Sen. Jim
Talent, R-Mo., along with a phalanx of police officers. ``It is time
for Congress to act, and indeed, we will act this week.''