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Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

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Monday, April 11, 2011

Colorado bill further targeting medications associated with meth manufacture - The Denver Post

Colorado bill further targeting medications associated with meth manufacture - The Denver Post

People with runny noses and congestion may find it harder to get relief if Colorado lawmakers decide some common- cold medications should be available by prescription only.

A bill pending before the state Senate would make drugs that contain pseudo ephedrine unavailable over the counter.

Proponents of the measure, including police, believe it would further restrict the ability of methamphetamine cooks to make the illegal drug using the ingredients they obtain over the counter.

Pseudoephedrine, which helps ease congestion in colds and flu, is a precursor ingredient used to cook methamphetamine, a highly addictive illegal drug. Its sale is already restricted, with purchasers required to show an ID and have it handed to them from behind the counter.

But that restriction hasn't been enough to stop meth cookers, according to police.

"Unfortunately, users and drug abusers and drug dealers always try to think of a new way to make drugs," said Ernest Martinez, president of the Colorado Drug Investigators Association.

"Even moving them back behind the counter is not conducive to stopping them from doing what they are doing," Martinez said.

Opponents of the bill say they support law enforcement's efforts to eradicate methamphetamine labs but are concerned about the impact of the legislation on consumers.

They believe people without health insurance will be burdened by the cost of seeking a prescription from medical providers, and that those who have health insurance shouldn't have to shell out a co-pay to a doctor just so they can get cold medicine.

"We don't want Colorado to turn into that kind of supply haven," said Edie Sonn of the Colorado Medical Society. "It's a real problem they are trying to solve, but there are unintended consequences it creates for our health care system. We would like to help law enforcement figure out other ways."


Read more: Colorado bill further targeting medications associated with meth manufacture - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17816604#ixzz1JFF0Rydj
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