Canada: Restrictions proposed on medicines needed to make crystal meth

Health and police officials in Ontario say sales of the most popular cold medications should be restricted because they contain a key ingredient used to make crystal methamphetamine, a potentially lethal street drug.

Oregon has passed a law requiring prescriptions for over-the-counter cold remedies.

They intend to persuade a new crystal meth task force -- soon to be announced by the Ontario government -- of the necessity to restrict the sale of pseudoephedrine, a chemical found in many cold and allergy medications such as Sudafed, Actifed and Contac.

The ingredient is essential for crystal meth cooks to make the highly addictive drug. A health official says "The bottom line is that without this drug you cannot make crystal meth."

Crystal meth is gaining in popularity because the high is long-lasting and intense, and it is so cheap. A user can stay high for 12 hours for as little as $5.

But side effects, including heart problems, hallucinations and violence, can be devastating.

Last week the federal government made meth a Schedule I drug, increasing maximum penalties for possession or production.

On Tuesday, Oregon became the first U.S. state to enact such a law requiring prescriptions to purchase common over-the-counter drugs. Other states have limited sales by placing these remedies behind the pharmacist's counter.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org/amphetablog.html
Pubdate: Thur, 18th August 2005
Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Canada)
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Copyright: 2005 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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