People buying over-the-counter cold medicines in Oregon to show ID

October 4, 2004

KATU 2 News - Portland, Oregon

Cold sufferers will soon need ID to get relief

October 2, 2004

- SALEM, Ore. - Catching a cold is about to get much more complicated.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski issued an order Friday that will require people buying

over-the-counter cold medicines in Oregon to show identification and leave

personal information at the register.

The new rules go into effect Oct. 13, and are designed to slow the state's

methamphetamine problem. Cold remedies such as Sudafed contain the main

ingredients in the manufacture of the powerfully addictive and cheap street

drug.

" Meth labs exist in Oregon homes, hotels, motels, apartments and even in

automobiles, " Kulongoski said. " They're just as likely to be found in rural

communities as they are in big cities. "

Kulongoski's Methamphetamine Task Force recommended the emergency rules, which

will be in place for 180 days as the governor works with the Legislature to make

them permanent.

Methamphetamine fuels 85 percent of the state's property and identity-theft

crimes, and is the leading reason Oregon children are removed from their homes

and placed in long-term foster care, the governor said.

Oregon treats more people for meth addiction per capita than any other state in

the country.

The new guidelines are modeled after an Oklahoma law credited for a steep drop

in illegal meth labs in that state. Purchasers must go to a store's pharmacy

counter or front register and show identification.

" Vendors will be required to keep a record of every purchase, " Kulongoski said.

Officials will be on the watch for people making multiple purchases in a short

time. "

Details of how names and other personal information will be gathered and used

won't be worked out until the Oregon Board of Pharmacy meets next week to adopt

the new rules.

" The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men. " --

Plato

" Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing

health care to all Americans is socialism. " -- anon

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