A cure for a case of the sniffles may soon require photo identification for residents of Story County.

The Story County Board of Supervisors passed the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday to restrict the availability of cold medicines like Sudafed containing pseudoephedrine. The restriction of pseudoephedrine, one of the key ingredients in manufacturing methamphetamine, is part of a nationwide movement to cut meth use.

“Story County, and the state of Iowa, has one of the highest percentages of meth labs in the Midwest,” County Supervisor Wayne Clinton said. “As a result of this, law enforcement felt this would be something that would be necessary to not only reduce the availability of products that can be used in the manufacturing of meth, but also to serve as a form of deterrent.”

Clinton said the ordinance is designed to make it easier for law enforcement to look up information about pseudoephedrine product buyers and the quantities purchased.

The ordinance would restrict purchasers to two packages of pseudoephedrine products per day, or up to 96 pills. Purchasers would also be required to show photo identification and have their names put in a log. The products would be placed behind a counter or in a locked case.

The log would be kept for one calendar year, and would be available to law enforcement upon request, the ordinance stated.

“If you have someone who goes in and purchases [illegal products], or maybe even steals, they will do that,” Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald said. “When they have to show an ID and sign for it, then they’re not going to go quite that far.”

Fitzgerald said some states have shown as much as an 80 percent decrease in the manufacture of meth after imposing similar restrictions.

“We’re trying to have some kind of a positive result from no sale of pseudoephedrine for making methamphetamine,” he said.

Violation of the ordinance, by either the purchaser or seller, would be charged as a simple misdemeanor.

Several businesses have already taken steps to restrict the sale of pseudoephedrine.

Target Pharmacy Manager Scott Sitzman said Target began restricting purchases to two products several months ago. Sitzman said the store will have no problem complying with the ordinance.

“It will create more work for stores, but, in the long run, it will be a beneficial thing to help control the meth problem in Iowa,” Sitzman said.

The state Legislature is considering a similar bill to restrict the availability of pseudoephedrine products across Iowa. Clinton said Story County law enforcement felt it was important to move ahead with an ordinance. Meth in Iowa has stressed courts, police forces and other programs, like youth and health services, he said.

“It is therefore in the interest of Story County to restrain the use of products available to make pseudoephedrine,” Clinton said. “Our preference would be that this would be something statewide for consistency’s sake.”

The ordinance must pass two more readings before it can take effect. The county attorney has recommended the ordinance become effective 60 days after its final passage.