New product aids war on drugs   

[SEPT. 14, 2004]  There's stirring news in the war on drugs. Following two years of research, the combined efforts of state Rep. John M. Shimkus, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and SSCI Inc., there's a new product called GloTell™ on the market. GloTell is expected to seriously inhibit the illegal production and use of methamphetamine.

The makers of meth usually steal the key ingredient, anhydrous ammonia, a product used as fertilizer and readily found on farms and in fields throughout the Midwest.

Since GloTell hit the market on Aug. 17 it has been gaining acclaim with such phrases as "a new use for the term 'in the pink.'" After it is added to anhydrous ammonia, it causes exposed skin to become pink, an unnatural shade of pink, when it makes contact. It will stain the hands of meth producers, and it will stain users at their injection site and around their noses if it is inhaled.

The hygroscopic (water-grabbing) capability of GloTell also alters the quality of the methamphetamine. The meth produced using it is highly inferior.

An additional benefit to farmers using the product is that the additive serves as a leak detector, staining the valves, pipes or fittings where an ammonia leak may occur. It will help farmers save money from accidental loss of the gaseous fertilizer.

The product is now being distributed exclusively through a Norfolk, Va., agricultural products company, Royster-Clark Inc, and is being offered at an affordable rate to farmers. Company president G. Kenneth Moshenek stated, "Royster-Clark is proud to offer GloTell as one solution to a problem which has plagued our industry for many years."

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