editorial comment Dumb and dumber.....paraphernalia is certain that doctors are happy about this one. It also wants to sponsor a bill requiring politicians to take smart drugs....they need it badly....

Oregonians who want over-the-counter cold medicine soon may need a doctor's permission to buy it.

Trying to stem the abuse of methamphetamine, the Oregon Senate will likely vote next week on a bill that would make the state the nation's first to require a prescription for popular cold medicines, which are used to create the illegal drug.

The bill, approved Wednesday on a 55-4 vote by the state House of Representatives, would classify any product containing pseudoephedrine a pharmaceutical requiring a prescription for purchase. Gov. Ted Kulongoski supports it.

Pseudoephedrine, a primary ingredient in the illegal, highly addictive stimulant methamphetamine, is a key ingredient in medicines such as Sudafed and Claritin. Addicts heat the pills in makeshift labs to create meth.

"We feel the bold action of requiring prescriptions is very justified given the tremendous impact of this epidemic on all of our communities," said Sen. Ginny Burdick, a Portland Democrat who co-sponsored the legislation.

Law enforcement agencies in 58% of counties surveyed by the National Association of Counties say methamphetamine is the most serious illegal drug problem facing them. (Related story: Meth called top drug threat)

At least 44 states have passed or are considering laws to restrict products containing pseudoephedrine. The rules range from requiring the medicines to be sold from behind pharmacy counters to having buyers sign a logbook.

Congress is considering federal legislation that would require pseudoephedrine products to be kept behind the counter. A buyer could purchase no more than 7.5 grams a month without a prescription, and customers would be required to show identification and sign a logbook. The Senate Judiciary Committee could vote on the proposal next week, said Rich Chrismer, a spokesman for Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo.

Talent, a co-sponsor, of the bill, opposes requiring prescriptions.

"Sen. Talent has talked to scores of law enforcement officials, and no one has suggested making a product with pseudoephedrine a prescription drug," Chrismer said. "Consumers should not have to pay for a doctor's visit to buy cold medicine."

Major store chains and pharmaceutical companies also are responding to concerns about the illegal drug. Kmart and Walgreens have limited sales of medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pfizer in January began selling a decongestant, Sudafed PE, that uses other ingredients.

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