Beginning today, cold and allergy sufferers who rely on products containing pseudoephedrine will need a doctor's prescription to purchase them in Mississippi. The law passed during this year's legislative session is meant to stem the tide of methamphetamine production, and pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in popular over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, is also a major element in meth.

Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officials said that last year, they arrested more people in connection with meth than for cocaine possession, reports WLBT. Officials seized 722 meth labs in 2009, and 529 to date this year.

"It (the new law) will significantly narrow the way that you obtain (pseudoephedrine) and how law enforcement can track it," Department of Public Safety Commissioner Steve Simpson told WLBT. "So sure there's going be some of that, but it's going to be significantly limited compared to what we have now on every street corner."

Previous Comments

ID

158460

Comment

Dammit, I need my meds. Let the meth heads screw up their lives, don't drag me down too! I need some meth allergy medicine.

Author

DrumminD21311

Date

2010-07-01T10:55:33-06:00

ID

158462

Comment

Now the run to the river (ie. past Vicksburg) will be for powerball tickets, daiquiris & stuffy noses. Cheaper & more fun than a doctor's visit!

Author

herman

Date

2010-07-01T12:42:48-06:00

ID

158483

Comment

I'm liable to kill someone when I get a sinus headache and can't readily get some advil sinus and cold medicine.

Author

Walt

Date

2010-07-01T16:55:04-06:00

ID

158491

Comment

Looks like it's time to ramp up my neti pot usage. I think I'll buy a Himalayan salt inhaler too because I refuse to pay a copay every time I need sinus meds.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2010-07-02T05:19:59-06:00

ID

158493

Comment

At least this law will put an end to meth crime in Mississippi, unless those sneaky criminals figure out some way to bring meth in from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Mexico, or any other place that has roads. What are the chances?

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2010-07-02T08:07:21-06:00