Buying cold meds? Meth cops may get e-mail

[Mrs Behavin]

LONDON, Ky. - Detective Brian Lewis returns to his desk after lunch, scanning e-mails he missed.
One catches his eye: It says a suspected member of a methamphetamine ring bought a box of Sudafed at 1:34 p.m. at a CVS pharmacy.
Minutes later, Lewis is in his truck, circling the parking lot, searching for the woman.
Lewis did not find her that day, but the scenario illustrates the way law enforcement is increasingly relying on computerized tracking systems in their fight against meth, an illegal drug that is often brewed in makeshift labs and has become a particular scourge in Appalachia and the Midwest.
Tracking systems are gradually being installed in pharmacies nationwide in response to a federal law that, since March 2006, has regulated purchases of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of meth. Pseudoephedrine is found in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, such as Sudafed.

Buying cold meds? Meth cops may get e-mail - Addictions - MSNBC.com

 

[GraceAbounds]

In AZ meds with Pseudoephedrine are not found on the shelves anymore. You have to ask for them from the Pharmacist and sign for them.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

same here grace

 

[GraceAbounds]

Is it all over the US (every state)?

 

[Tim]

Here in eastern PA we can still buy them off the shelf in some places. Some of the chain stores like CVS puts them behind the cashier. It probably has to do with the lack of meth around here. It's not a popular drug here, at least we don't ever here about it in the local news.

 

[Mrs Behavin]

All the drug stores and Walmart have the stuff behind their counter too. You cant get it off the shelves. And when you do purchase something like sudafed, like ask for your ID and enter it into the system too.

 

[GuesSAngel]

yeah they ask for ID here too

 

[Sneakiecat]

And when you do purchase something like sudafed, like ask for your ID and enter it into the system too.

I had two friends buy some and then get followed around the store. The only reason they can think of is that they are young and must be using it for making drugs.