European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 1, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday february 1, 1987 the stars and stripes pills from Mexico linked to 4 deaths . May bar entry of diet drugs liar Lantien. Texas api a regimen of pills pre scribed by mexican doctors for weight control has been linked to four deaths in Texas prompting officials id reconsider a policy allowing Consumers to bring the drugs Inlo the United stain the american Public has been looking for a diet Miracle for years and they la Sivc anything. Unfortunately they re going to Hurt themselves said Donald Chalton. A regional director for the food and drug administration in Dallas. The Lucky ones Are the ones who arc going to Only lose weight. There s no question they work if they Don t kill you  Callon said. The regimen of three pills containing four different drugs an appetite suppressant a stimulant a depressant and a diuretic also has been linked to men Tal illness heart disorders and other ailments officials said. Arnold Lochner supervisor in the drug enforcement admins ration s Houston division said ingredients in All three pills arc prescribed in the United states but not for the Type of diet regimen prescribed by mexican doctors. The drugs apparently Are being prescribed primarily at a dozen weight loss clinics in Nuevo Laredo Mexico just Over the Border from Laredo Healton said All patients receive the same regimen and their medical histories arc not taken before the prescriptions Are is sued he said thai s a violation of Law if occurring in this coun try Callon said. Despite the hazards the desire to be thin is creating a Large demand for the drugs the officials said. Ted rotto chief investigator for the Fra in Texas Oklahoma and new Mexico said he knows of buses loaded with diet minded people going Inlo Mexico log the pills. Lochner said he also has heard of ins lances of people smuggling Large quantities of the drugs into Texas for resale. It looks like one Heck of an enforcement problem. Customs Dea Fra and inc state Don t have the re sources to do it rotto said. It s Best to educate the  de Nida a spokesman for the Fra in Washington said inc ust of the drugs docs not appear to be a nation Al phenomenon. It sounds like a regional sort of thing the southwestern states maybe he said. The most popular weight loss regimen involves Pon a Crux an amphetamine used As an appetite suppress ant Reticles an appetite control drug that combines a stimulant and a depressant and Mon Surelie. A diuretic said Lochner. The . Customs service allows the drugs to be brought into inc United states if prescribed by a registered physician and purchased at a registered pharmacy Bui the drugs must be declared upon crossing into inc United Stales and must be of a Small enough Quan hogging the limelight Olive Walters a Welsh Farmer stands inn s Lake farm in Amu Cal the free Wales. They showed an aptitude for awk truth one of two european mid pigs that Range sows called hoi ides by the Hurth ing the sheep when they imitated the like rounding up sheep on his and brother ers were bought from a wildlife Park in farm s sheepdog. Curly. Lily to satisfy inspectors that there is on a enough for personal consumption said Charles c Nroy. A customs spokesman in Houston. But cation said he believes bringing he drugs into the United Stales even in Small quantities May violate Federal Law. It s a Gray area we Are exploring now he said. It Falls Inlo a loophole associated with shorten for Cement  redo tax. In particular should Noi be allowed in. Not even in personal Luggage he said. Heallon said he can t understand its purpose since it combines a stimulant and a depressant that would seem to cancel each other out. Dennis Baker a program manager for the Texas health department s food and drug division said four Ca i is have been linked to inc mexican diet drugs. The victims were All from Southern Texas and died within the last six to eight months he said. Though All four had at some Lime taken the pills medical researchers Haven t been Able to prove inc pills caused the deaths he said. The ingredient in the diuretic is prescribed in the United states for High blood pressure but  use of he drug can cause potassium depletion resulting in heart problems Callon said. Taking the three pills in combination As prescribed in Mexico is especially dangerous he said. Callon and Lochner said Side effects from the drugs Range from severe diarrhoea and pneumonia to psychosis. Bill to extend pub hours Dies in parliament London up1 parliament killed a Bill Friday that would have allowed pubs in England and Wales to slay open Alt Day. The action keeps intact the world War 1 Law thai forces them to close for a few hours in mid Al Moon. The Bill was killed by filibuster As the debate in parliament went beyond it two hour limit set for the proposal. The measure would have permitted Britain s nearly 50,000 pubs to stay open for any 12 of he 4 hours Between 10 . And Midnight. Pubs in England. Wales and Northern Ireland Are generally open for nine hours from 11 . 10 3 . And from 5 30 to 10jo . During weekdays. Pubs in London and major cities can stay open until 11 . British licensing Laws were introduced 70 years ago during world War i. They were passed in an attempt to boost productivity at fac topics making War mate Riel by gelling employees to return to work following lunch a pubs. Scotland changed its Law a few years ago and pubs there can now stay open All Day. The scottish Experiment was believed to have Given new impetus to a change in licensing Laws for England. Wales and Northern Ireland. But the British medical association came out against the Bill saying it would Lead to increased alcohol abuse and an increase in accidents As Well As add 10 the Burden on ii talc funded National health service. Grandmother overstay Welcome at Burger King Salem Ore. Us l a grandmother who passed Pirl of nearly every Day for five years sipping Burger King Coffee knitting and talking to employees and customer is no longer Welcome at in fast food restaurant. I was re ally shocked i could t be Lieve it said Cloe Curry 78, when told by inc management that she was Loi icing and no longer it come. Robert i. Boss president of Bossen Ter Prises inc., owner of the franchise said Curry used senior citizen discount cards to obtain free Burger King Coffee while passing Lime in the restaurant. Mrs. Curry has frequented our restaurant almost daily for he past five years to nil read and to drink Coffee slaying what we consider an unreason Able length of time Boss said in a pre pared Jaii Mcfelt in order 10 avoid our restaurant from becoming a place to Ini Ler or hang out we have asked mrs. Curry nol to re  Curry said she gave we of the items she Emited to employees of inc restau rant As gifts. They responded at Christmas by giving he a present a Burger King gift Curli Ficari. Slit really enjoyed ii said Kim bad Ham 21, of her grandma tier s daily vis its to the restaurant. She s Noi Jooi Bijj 10 go anywhere  Curry s daughter Sandra Badham 47, said her Mother is worried about causing the employees Al inc Burger King trouble this has Gui her Down really de  said the daughter she won t go Back no matter Tiai. She does not want to gel those kids in  however Curry said she might 6� Buck if inv cd to please her friends. I d mop and get a cup of Cliffee she said