What do you think about this?
Meth epidemic: database proposed to track pharmacy purchases (DOCUMENT) | pharmacy, database, proposed - News - Northwest Florida Daily News
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS ? The fight against methamphetamine continues in Walton County.
Sheriff Mike Adkinson asked county commissioners Tuesday to adopt a MethCheck ordinance.
Adkinson said he is the law would be based on a similar ordinance in Bay County. If Walton County?s law would call for all pharmacies to install the same system to monitor purchases of drugs commonly used to make methamphetamine.
?We are trying to reduce the availability of precursor products and make hundreds of arrests possible,? Adkinson told commissioners. ?It is, in fact, an epidemic."
?We have come to the conclusion that imitation is the best form of flattery, so we?re taking this from Bay County.?
The electronic database allows on-demand, real-time access to pharmacy logs across the county of purchases of allergy medicine that contain pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in meth. The system is accessed through a Web site available on the Internet.
The Sheriff?s Office is applying for a state grant to make the system free to all Walton County pharmacies.
Pharmacies already are required to keep logs of patrons who buy over-the-counter medicine, but there is no uniform system. With MethCheck, there would be one system used throughout the county to allow pharmacies to review purchases outside their own store.
Adkinson said MethCheck could be required statewide in the near future, but adopting the ordinance now would allow law enforcement to track people purchasing ingredients countywide and make more arrests.
The system will make it impossible for someone to buy more than their limit of pseudoephedrine without leaving the county. It also would make it easier for investigators to find suspected meth labs and manufacturers, he said.
County commissioners agreed to have a public hearing on Feb 23 to address the ordinance.
?This is serious, serious business,? Adkinson said. ?We want to take more positive steps in ending this epidemic.?
Replies
27
SoWal Expert
I have to show ID everytime I buy Sudafed- so I have been contributing to a database all along that Walton County was not accessing? 
Bring it on- anything to make it harder for that loser trash to make meth. What down side could there be?
(I don't want to hear about losing a personal freedom or big brother, blah blah blah either- if you are buying Sudafed for a legit reason, why would you care that somebody knew you had sinus congestion?)
Bring it on- anything to make it harder for that loser trash to make meth. What down side could there be?
(I don't want to hear about losing a personal freedom or big brother, blah blah blah either- if you are buying Sudafed for a legit reason, why would you care that somebody knew you had sinus congestion?)
Moderator
To me, it sounds silly. The huge quantity of ephedrine, or whatever the required ingredient is, that is needed is so huge that the people cooking it don't go around buying up drug stores. They are getting it from someplace else...stealing it maybe?
SoWal Expert
Wasn't the actual database/info collecting set up years ago as part of the Patriot Act? He's just trying to coordinate how it is done?
I always thought it was dumb I had to show my ID to buy OTC meds, but not to fill a prescription BTW.
Though I agree w/ Jdarg - meth is SO nasty I have no issues with this!
I always thought it was dumb I had to show my ID to buy OTC meds, but not to fill a prescription BTW.
Though I agree w/ Jdarg - meth is SO nasty I have no issues with this!
Banned
It's all politics. Make it look like you're actually solving a problem by showing how much you care. Meth seems to rear it's ugly head in low income suburban and rural communities. Why not take a look at that correlation and see if there aren't some real solutions to this "epidemic".
SoWal Expert
Meth is not just in low income areas.
SoWal Insider
frisking 85 year old grannies for bombs
Banned
Meth is not just in low income areas.
I'd like to know how prevalent it is among college students. I would bet they are much more likely to partake in legal stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall.
Banned
Meth is not just in low income areas.
Interesting article:
Fundamentalism, Meth and Poverty ? Alexandria
beats on hood
Around here, meth is a big problem. I have no problem showing a drivers license when buying cough syrup. There are so many people here with meth teeth. Gross.
Apparently the opiates and Xanax are really hot drugs here as well. Hubby went for his first post-op visit, and the doc was asking him about his pain. Hubby said that he is not taking his pain meds anymore because he doesn't like the side-effects of narcotics. The doctor told him that's good because they are so addictive that opiates and Xanax are going for $25 a pill on the street here. Let's see. Hubby has about 60 Percocets, 60 Lortabs (with refills available), and 60 Darvocets (with refills available). I use half the Xanax that I am prescribed. That's $6000 street value of drugs per month that we pay $30 for. Amazing. I think we'll flush them down the toilet so no one will break into the house for the drugs (well, all except the Xanax -- need those for the anxiety attacks that I've had since I was 16).
Apparently the opiates and Xanax are really hot drugs here as well. Hubby went for his first post-op visit, and the doc was asking him about his pain. Hubby said that he is not taking his pain meds anymore because he doesn't like the side-effects of narcotics. The doctor told him that's good because they are so addictive that opiates and Xanax are going for $25 a pill on the street here. Let's see. Hubby has about 60 Percocets, 60 Lortabs (with refills available), and 60 Darvocets (with refills available). I use half the Xanax that I am prescribed. That's $6000 street value of drugs per month that we pay $30 for. Amazing. I think we'll flush them down the toilet so no one will break into the house for the drugs (well, all except the Xanax -- need those for the anxiety attacks that I've had since I was 16).
SoWal Expert
LS-I think that is a valid point - but the same one can make about ANY drug/addiction/coping mechanism.
Meth is just plain nasty and it is spreading WAY too quickly for my taste.
Meth is just plain nasty and it is spreading WAY too quickly for my taste.
Banned
frisking 85 year old grannies for bombs
We're all to quick to reward people for their effort rather than results.
Banned
LS-I think that is a valid point - but the same one can make about ANY drug/addiction/coping mechanism.
Meth is just plain nasty and it is spreading WAY too quickly for my taste.
Regardless of my thoughts, I've never been a fan of knee-jerk measures to solve any problem. All too often they're a political ploy that benefits nobody but the knee jerkers and perhaps the sheeple who jump on the knee-jerk bandwagon. In the meantime nothing in the way of real solutions has been achieved. This is often to the benefit of the knee-jerks because if the problem is ever solved, they are out of a job.
SoWal Insider
I have to show ID everytime I buy Sudafed- so I have been contributing to a database all along that Walton County was not accessing?
Bring it on- anything to make it harder for that loser trash to make meth. What down side could there be?
(I don't want to hear about losing a personal freedom or big brother, blah blah blah either- if you are buying Sudafed for a legit reason, why would you care that somebody knew you had sinus congestion?)
The larger pharmacys are already taking part in this. It was proposed at the City Council the night before the BCC. It's the mom and pop stores and small business that are keeping paper logs that have to be physically looked at to see who is buying the most. This is the company that is doing it. MethCheck Rx - Appriss, Inc.
I understand that the grant, if received, will pay for the scanners and service, but I am not sure what happens if those grants run out or how the service is continued(paid for) if that happens. I keep hearing free, but I am looking into these and some other questions about it.
I have to, on bad months, take Zyrtec D twice a day, since each dose last 12 hours. That's 60 tablets per month, and I don't have any issue with handing over my drivers lis. Like many, I thought it already was in a data base. I'd be just fine with these becoming prescription medications again, but that would probably put people like Appriss out of meth data business.
Edited
SoWal Insider
To me, it sounds silly. The huge quantity of ephedrine, or whatever the required ingredient is, that is needed is so huge that the people cooking it don't go around buying up drug stores. They are getting it from someplace else...stealing it maybe?
My understanding is they send people out, with gift cards and such and they buy the legal limit and combined it is enough. When the WCSO presented this idea at the meeting I was attending, I understood it to be needed because it was too time consuming to send officers out to look at the small business logs in person.
SoWal Expert
Why can't the individual pharmacies just fax or mail in the logs? 
The last time I bought some Sudafed it was at Target and even though they are a national pharmacy they were using paper too.
The last time I bought some Sudafed it was at Target and even though they are a national pharmacy they were using paper too.
Edited
SoWal Insider
Why can't the individual pharmacies just fax or mail in the logs?
The last time I bought some Sudafed it was at Target and even though they are a national pharmacy they were using paper too.
If I go to Winn Dixie, it goes into a paper log. If I go to Wal-Greens it gets scanned. You still have to have an officer to look through the faxed logs, if they could do that. I believe this system flags a person and then the WCSO will go from there.
SWGB
First and foremost, BR do not flush your drugs. They wind up in the ecosystem and cause very bad things. Like junkie fish. Seriously though, ask your doctor about proper disposal, I'm betting the Pharmacy would have a solution.
The computer system is already in use in Bay County and has had some positive effects. For one they are able to watch purchases real time. What this means is that when a cooker (someone who manufactures meth) is getting ready they'll send out runners all over the county to purchase sudafed. This system allows law enforcement not only to track folks who buy all over the county and stop them, but it also allows them to see that there is a spike in purchases. Then patrol officers can be more vigilant of mobile meth labs or even home based labs.
I'm all for this and don't think it's too big brother or intrusive. If you'll notice the ACLU hasn't taken up the cause.
The computer system is already in use in Bay County and has had some positive effects. For one they are able to watch purchases real time. What this means is that when a cooker (someone who manufactures meth) is getting ready they'll send out runners all over the county to purchase sudafed. This system allows law enforcement not only to track folks who buy all over the county and stop them, but it also allows them to see that there is a spike in purchases. Then patrol officers can be more vigilant of mobile meth labs or even home based labs.
I'm all for this and don't think it's too big brother or intrusive. If you'll notice the ACLU hasn't taken up the cause.
SoWal Expert
Question - why can't they just get/make the ingredient they are taking from the Sudafed somewhere else?
Those are tiny little pills.
P.S. Sorry if this is a dumb question, have never actually made meth.
Those are tiny little pills.
P.S. Sorry if this is a dumb question, have never actually made meth.
Beach Lover
I think this is a great idea. The way I understand an additional problem in Walton Co. is that people from Bay Co. are coming to our county because there is NO consistant way to track the purchases. If you are employing a tracking system, IMHO, it would be advantageous for ALL to use the same system; not a hundred different ways of tracking. Not efficient.
SWGB
Question - why can't they just get/make the ingredient they are taking from the Sudafed somewhere else?
Those are tiny little pills.
P.S. Sorry if this is a dumb question, have never actually made meth.
It's not a dumb question and not asking questions is really the only dumb thing you can do.
Education is always the key.
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methamphetamine"]Methamphetimine[/ame] is the drug commonly referred to as meth, ice, glass, speed, tina, etc. It is commonly derived from a complex process extracting [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedrine"]Ephedrine[/ame] from the pills that people are trying to buy in bulk.
As far as purchasing the base chemical in bulk, if you were somehow able to do so it would raise major flags. In fact most chemicals associated with meth are very carefully tracked and monitored.
The biggest problem with meth is the number of recipes available to make it. Since it's ultimately a complex string of chemicals people are constantly discovering new ways to make it. Traditionally it required a "cook" time in which it was heated. Since it involves extremely volatile chemicals it's incredibly dangerous. Apparently there is now a new method utilizing instant ice cooling pads and wraps that doesn't require cooking.
Any more questions?
Banned
It's not a dumb question and not asking questions is really the only dumb thing you can do.
Education is always the key.
Methamphetimine is the drug commonly referred to as meth, ice, glass, speed, tina, etc. It is commonly derived from a complex process extracting Ephedrine from the pills that people are trying to buy in bulk.
As far as purchasing the base chemical in bulk, if you were somehow able to do so it would raise major flags. In fact most chemicals associated with meth are very carefully tracked and monitored.
The biggest problem with meth is the number of recipes available to make it. Since it's ultimately a complex string of chemicals people are constantly discovering new ways to make it. Traditionally it required a "cook" time in which it was heated. Since it involves extremely volatile chemicals it's incredibly dangerous. Apparently there is now a new method utilizing instant ice cooling pads and wraps that doesn't require cooking.
Any more questions?
The industrious meth makers in MS are using a method called shake and bake, all done in a plastic bottle, can be done in car, wherever you are, still has high potential of blowing up. They dont seem to mind the obvious dangers. We have an epidemic in our state, the legislature is currently working on a bill to require a doctors prescription to get the schedule 3 drugs, we currently have a system to require drivers license which is in a data base somewhere, it does not work. Penalties are pretty stiff, doesnt seem to matter to the makers and users.
Banned
The industrious meth makers in MS are using a method called shake and bake, all done in a plastic bottle, can be done in car, wherever you are, still has high potential of blowing up. They dont seem to mind the obvious dangers. We have an epidemic in our state, the legislature is currently working on a bill to require a doctors prescription to get the schedule 3 drugs, we currently have a system to require drivers license which is in a data base somewhere, it does not work. Penalties are pretty stiff, doesnt seem to matter to the makers and users.
I read somewhere that meth cooks are addicted to the process of making meth. They love what they do and take great pride in it. When they get to prison they hang out with other meth cooks and talk about their methods and work towards refining their technique. I guess it's really a great learning experience. Most of them are users, but from what I read, once out of prison they find it easier to quit using the drug than making it.
SWGB
If you ever really want to be creeped out by meth makers and users check out Breaking Bad on AMC.
The shake and bake method was the method I was referring to in my post about chill packs.
The shake and bake method was the method I was referring to in my post about chill packs.
Beach Fanatic
I just read all the posts on here. I take Sudafed for my sinuses (have tried everything else) and they are the only thing that work really well for me. As long as they keep them on the market I am happy to sign anything and show my license so I can use them. And it is not only in poorer communities. It is everywhere. I'm not sure but I have a rental property I just evicted my young tenant from and I have a feeling he was on meth. He had past history of serious drug abuse and was clean when he moved in, but the last two months he was acting really crazy. Just from seeing the apt. when I went it that is what came to mind and his behavior. I live next to the apt. so I am soooo glad I got him out of there. Thanks for all of the information because I was not familiar with alot of it. I am not there yet, but soon to be moving to the area and I can't wait. I've been there several times and I am addicted, but to the SoWal area not meth. LOL Have a great one everybody.
Beach Fanatic
No problems here showing ID for Sudafed...but Fuzz tells me I probably shouldn't buy Drano and matches at the same time 
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