Law Proposed to Limit Sales of Ephedrine

Police and city officials plan to limit sales of cold medicines and other over-the-counter drugs that contain ephedrine, which is commonly extracted to make methamphetamine.

The City Council tonight will consider an ordinance that reduces the number of ephedrine-related products customers can buy from local markets and pharmacies. Retailers would be prohibited from selling more than three packages of the cold drugs--or 100 tablets--to a customer at a time.

Customers or retailers who violate the proposed misdemeanor law face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

While the production of methamphetamine in home labs has yet to become a problem in the city, police have arrested people on suspicion of possessing and dealing the drug, Fountain Valley Police Capt. Bob Mosley said. The ordinance, he said, may dissuade potential drug makers from building labs in the city--or at least from obtaining a key ingredient.

“We want everyone else outside to know that this is a family community,” he said. “We don’t need drug-making going on in our city.”

The ordinance is based on a San Bernardino County law, and other Orange County cities are considering similar action.

Fountain Valley Chamber of Commerce members and the California Grocers Assn. support the law, according to a city report.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 in City Hall, 10200 Slater Ave.

Information: (714) 593-4445.