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Friday, February 11, 2005 10:14 AM CST
Stricter cold tablet sale rules debut in House



JG/T-C Springfield Bureau

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois runs the risk of becoming a "meth island" unless stricter laws concerning the sale of certain cold medicines are adopted warned a downstate legislator Thursday.

If border states have stricter controls on pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in making methamphetamine, Illinois could become a dumping ground for meth makers, said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville.

"They are going to come to Illinois," Eddy said.

House Bill 662, Eddy's proposal, would require certain medicine containing psuedoephedrine, the main ingredient in making methamphetamine, be doled out by pharmacists.

Under the measure, cold sufferers would have to show a photo identification card and sign a registry when getting medicines whose main ingredient is psuedoephedrine. Similar drugs that come in a gel cap or syrup form would be exempted because they can't be easily turned into methamphetamine.

The proposal is based on a Oklahoma law, which that state's Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Control claims has reduced the number of lab seizures from 50 to 70 percent.

Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana legislatures are considering similar legislation.

Critics argue the tougher regulations come only 45 days after Illinois' new law restricting people to purchasing two boxes of cold tablets in a single store visit.

Eddy defended rolling out newer regulations as necessary.

"I just can't in good conscience let something that might work get in the way of something that we know works," Eddy said.

Eddy's proposal has the support of the Illinois State Police and Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

The proposal remains in a House committee.

Matt Adrian can be reached at matt.adrian@lee.net or 789-0865.


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