Wal-Mart is a responsible retailer in the communities in which it operates. Wal-Mart supports efforts to curb the problem of methamphetamine. This is an issue that affects the country, and we want to do our part to help.
The products used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine have a legitimate use. Retailers must be responsible, yet at the same time have available products for customers who need over-the-counter cold relief medicines.
To make sure we are doing our part to help curb the problem of methamphetamines, we have set transaction limits on pseudoephedrine and have provided initiatives to educate our associates, consumers, and legislators on this issue.
In February of 1997, Wal-Mart implemented a voluntary sales limitations policy of selected over-the-counter cough and cold products. Additionally, Wal-Mart has proactively established the following initiatives:
- Customers may only purchase a certain number of pseudoephedrine products as determined by the law.
- We have set our cash resisters to prompt cashiers that these products are restricted.
- Each time a register limit is triggered, a small information slip is printed at the register. This slip informs the customer of the pseudoephedrine limit and provides information where people can learn more about pseudoephedrine and methamphetamine.
Adding this technology to our systems helps ensure that our policy is enforced. In addition to register prompts, some of the other measures Wal-Mart has put in to place include:
- A restricted items video.
- Computer learning training for our associates.
- Starting in February 2005, when a cashier signs in to his/her register, a prompt will appear on the register reading “ALL REGISTER PROMPTS MUST BE FOLLOWED.”
Several states, such as Oklahoma, have enacted more stringent sales restrictions and/or require placement of these products behind the pharmacy counter. Wal-Mart has partnered with local law enforcement and the DEA on these efforts.
Wal-Mart has also been pro-active in limiting the sale of these products prior to regulation by voluntarily limiting the sale of over-the-counter products containing pseudoephedrine.
As a retailer, we will continue to be proactive and vigilant in our efforts to serve as responsible corporate citizens.