Meth Watch involves merchants in local fight against drug abuse

By Lori EhdeLaw enforcement is enlisting the help of area merchants in the local fight against meth.Business owners will have a chance to learn more about their role by attending a Meth Watch merchant education seminar Tuesday night.The meeting, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pizza Ranch in Luverne, will introduce merchants to Meth Watch. It’s a statewide program designed to help curtail the theft and suspicious sales of pseudoephedrine products, as well as other common household products used in the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine in small, toxic labs. A key goal of Meth Watch is to promote cooperation between retailers and law enforcement to prevent the use of legitimate products for illegal use. Lewis Drug Pharmacist Craig Hohn is heading up the Meth Watch efforts in Luverne and Rock County.He said Meth Watch aims to accomplish three things: educate businesses, educate customers, and increase communication between the community and sheriff’s department.Working through the Chamber of Commerce, Hohn identified roughly 30 area businesses that sell "meth precursors," common household products used in manufacturing meth."The list includes everyone from Sears to M-M to Pamida," Hohn said, adding that he included grocery stores, discount stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and gas stations, farm elevators and veterinary clinics.These businesses received written invitations to attend Tuesday’s meeting."I urge you to join the task force in the local battle against the methamphetamine scourge by participating in implementation of voluntary restrictions on the sale of meth precursors," Hohn said in his letter to merchants. He said it’s in their own interest to participate in Meth Watch."Retailers that carry pseudoephedrine or any number of household products are prime targets for meth cooks who may steal or buy in large quantities."Hohn said he is asking retailers to consider limiting the number of packages containing any of the products used in meth production to two packages per customer, as well as placing pseudoephedrine behind the counter and requiring buyers to be 18 or older.He said merchants shouldn’t be afraid that Meth Watch will hurt their business. "There’s nothing here that says we’re trying to halt or circumvent the sale of these products," he said. "It’s just about heightened awareness. ... It’s just an attempt to up the ante for meth cookers – to make a statement that our community is aware of the meth problem and we’re not going to stand by and do nothing."Business owners who come to Tuesday’s meeting will hear from Rock County Deputy Evan Verbrugge and John Ramlo of Rock-Nobles Community Corrections.Those who would like to participate in Meth Watch and who can’t attend Tuesday’s meeting can call Hohn at 283-9549. For more information about the program or about meth, see www.methwatch.com.Hohn’s work with Meth Watch is one of three arms of the Southwest Meth Task Force, which aims to curtail meth use through prevention, education and awareness.Hohn, who also serves on the Luverne Area Chamber Board chairs the Merchant Education Committee of the Task Force.For more information about the local task force, call 283-5077 or the non-emergency phone number for the Rock County Sheriff’s Department, 283-5000.* * *Meth can be made from commonly available, legitimate household products. The ingredients used to make meth, usually found at retail stores, are legitimate household materials, such as:
over-the-counter cough, cold, asthma and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine
Acetone
Rubbing and isopropyl alcohol
Iodine
Starter fluid (ether)
Gas additives (methanol)
Drain cleaner (sulfuric acid)
Lithium batteries
Rock salt
Matchbooks (red phosphorus)
Lye
Paint thinner
Aluminum foil
Glassware
Coffee filters
Propane tanks