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Meth is made by
combining a number of
over the counter products that can be bought in nearly any hardware,
discount, pharmacy, farm supply or convenience store across South Dakota.
As a retailer, you and your employees can play a major role in combating
the manufacturing and use of this deadly drug.
Retailers'
participation in the Meth Alert program will help decrease the likelihood
of Meth cooks using local stores as suppliers for their ingredients.
Training employees and raising awareness among customers will help reduce
the theft of the necessary products.
Taking an
aggressive approach to the Meth epidemic will make our communities safer,
increase shoppers' confidence in their local retailers and build a strong
working relationship with law enforcement.
Complying with
the new restrictions on cold, allergy and asthma medicines
containing pseudoephedrine will deter Meth manufacturers. There are
additional steps you can take to deter theft or large purchases of other
products that are used in producing Meth:
●
Limit the
purchase of lithium batteries to no more than two packages per customer.
● Limit the purchase of ether
(starting fluid) to no more than one per customer.
● Monitor inventory levels of
key ingredients. Compare quantities from year to year and month to month
to identify any unusual activity.
● Pay attention to empty
packages or blister packs discarded in the store. This may indicate
shoplifting the products for use in making Meth.
● Place the identified products
in an area that can be easily monitored by employees.
● Educate employees on store
policy related to these "target" products and on the proper response when
a suspicious purchase is made.
● Implement and use security
cameras as well as door decals and point-of-sale signs.
● Utilize "talk tags" (a photo
of the product and a notice that it has been moved and can be purchased in
a specific area)
● Have a system in place for
documenting suspicious behavior and communicating with local law
enforcement.
There are other
things you can do to protect your community from Meth - and your business
from the impact of Meth cooks. To schedule training for your staff or for
more information on the MAPP-SD Meth Alert program and materials, please
contact
MAPP-SD. |
