A bill proposed by the Iowa Attorney General may make treating a case of the sniffles a bit more difficult.

The proposal would make drugs used commonly for the manufacture of amphetamine and methamphetamine — such as cold medicines containing the drug pseudoephedrine or ephedrine — controlled substances unless specified otherwise.

This is an effort to control the growing meth problem in Iowa, according to the bill.

The Central Iowa Drug Task Force director, Capt. Gary Foster, said he hopes the Legislature will work toward a solution to close some loopholes in the law.

“The manufacture, distribution and use [of meth] continues to be a problem throughout the Midwest, including central Iowa,” he said.

“I would encourage lawmakers to make the changes necessary to initiate such a law.”

Story County ranks seventh in the state of Iowa for meth labs. In 2004, the number of meth labs in Iowa increased by 272, 55 of which were located in Story County, Foster said.

Over 600 grams of meth were recovered last year, he said.

Foster also serves as chief deputy for the Story County Sheriff.

Ames Target pharmacy manager Scott Sitzman points to Tuesday’s passage of a bill in Polk County that better controls the availability of pseudoephedrine as a sign of legislation to come. He said he believes the rest of the state will follow suit, and the Food and Drug Administration will take control if many states pass similar legislation.

Although he said the restrictions are needed, Sitzman said the bill is a “double-edged sword.”

“This will take pharmacists away from their primary job, which is to assist patients,” he said.

Target, 320 S. Duff Ave., already takes steps to control the distribution of pseudoephedrine products. Customers are only allowed to purchase two products containing the ingredient at a time and are monitored by security cameras. Purchases are also tracked via a computer system.

Should the bill not pass, and Iowa’s neighbors pass a similar law, Sitzman said he can foresee people coming into Iowa to buy pseudoephedrine products, as has been the case in other states.

ISU Police Capt. Gene Deisinger said that, although Iowa’s meth problem is growing, it isn’t the drug of choice at Iowa State. The use of illegal drugs, such as meth, fluctuates slightly from year to year, and a meth lab hasn’t been busted on campus since fall 1998, he said.

“Alcohol is far and away the most significant drug problem on campus,” Deisinger said.

William Lincoln, sophomore in meteorology, does not see a problem with the potential of tighter restrictions.

“I don’t have an issue with it being behind the counter,” Lincoln said. “It’s not embarrassing to ask them to get it for you.”

The bill is currently in the Senate Judiciary Committee and has yet to go before the General Assembly.