Alabama to Restrict Sale of Decongestants

One of the most important bills passed by the legislature this session would place restrictions on the sale of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (contained in OTC medications such as Sudafed), key ingredients in the production of methamphetamine. Governor Riley has indicated that he will sign the bill into law.

Other states have passed similar laws over the past year, including Oklahoma. That state's apparent success gives reason for optimism. According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, meth lab seizures have dropped more than 70 percent since the law was enacted in April, 2004. This chart tells the story.

Earlier this year, Oklahoma made its law even tougher. According to the Governor Brad Henry's web site, the state will "establish a statewide online database that will link pharmacies to augment an existing law restricting sales of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine."

According to Henry, "By creating an electronic network of pharmacies, we will make exceedingly difficult for meth manufacturers to skirt the law. Connecting pharmacies across our state means that a pharmacist will be able to check if a customer has already purchased the maximum amount of pseudoephedrine allowed by law.” (Hat tip: OK Blawg.)

The big question is whether these gains will be permanent, or if domestic meth producers will be clever enough to adapt to their new environment. There's only one way to find out, though, and that's to make their jobs more difficult. Alabama's new law is a good first step.