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Crystal Meth fears over Lemsips

Some over-the-counter flu remedies could face restrictions, amid fears that they are being used to produce the highly addictive drug, crystal meth.

It is feared that pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, contained in certain flu remedies such as Lemsips, can be used to make the drug.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is considering making these ingredients prescription-only.

Crystal meth, also known as methylamphetamine, was reclassified in January as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The highly addictive substance affects the central nervous system and can cause serious physical and psychological harm.

When smoked in its crystalline form, the stimulant produces effects similar to, but longer-lasting than, crack cocaine.

So it’s cheap, can be made relatively easily and a hit lasts for over 8 hours? What could go possibly go wrong?

Cover of The Educator, Spring 2006

Click for larger image

Further Reading

Meth-Idemic - a scourge on society
America’s Meth Prevention Cookbook
Washington State Narcotics Investigators Association
Chem Wiki - crystal meth

Add comment April 25th, 2007

Blackman and the ‘blood money’

I was reading today about how “the father of dismembered British girl Lucie Blackman has criticised Japanese prosecutors after the millionaire property developer suspected of the killing was today acquitted.”

Em, sorry, but isn’t that why he accepted 100 million yen (£467,000)? So that the accused would not be convicted of the crime? It’s called “condolence money” - a Japanese funerary custom where people give “comfort money” as part of the funeral service at the wake. Which of course begs the question, “Why was it given and why was it accepted” if the accused had nothing to do with the crime?

To my way of thinking it’s simply hush money or more accurately, blood money, paid to make the problem go away. Lucie Blackman’s mother, Jane Steare, certainly calls it blood money, accusing Tim Blackman, the father, of colluding with the defence.

Which brings me back to my original point - what’s Tim Blackman whinging about? He got his money.

Add comment April 25th, 2007