Birmingham Post-Herald from Birmingham, Alabama • 6

PAGE 6A (She Sinwnflham flttpg SATURDAY Birmingham Pool-Herald been banned in professional football college athletics and just this week minor league basebalL Because ephedra is in herb US law lets manufacturers sell it over the counter with little oversight to ensure safety To curb sales the FDA must prove a dear danger to public health Manufacturers blocked a 1997 FDA attempt to restrict sales of certain doses and put warning labels on the herb by arguing die agency lacked enough proof of danger The FDA proposed those steps again Friday After a 30-day comment period the FDA plans within months to put on die front of every ephedra bottle a large wanting that death heart attacks and strokes are possible side effects and that certain people should not use the pills Ironically KlcClellan said active ingredient is a chemical called ephedrine which when produced synthetically is stringently regulated by the FDA and allowed only in small doses in certain cold weight loss and that negative interpretation bowed to the critics 1 respect that Secretary Thompson is under a lot of political pressure and a lot of that has to do with reports in die press and rush to judgment in the Bechler said Wes Siegner general counsel for die Ephedra Education CounciL Also Friday die FDA warned 24 companies that target their ephedra products to athletes and bodybuilders to stop that marketing within 15 days Ephedra has been linked to life-threatening side effects even when used by healthy people at recommended doses because it speeds heart rate and constricts blood vessels Those effects can be worsened by exercise and use of other stimulants such as caffeine and they're particularly risky if die user has certain underlying medical conditions such as heart disease said FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan Canada has long warned consumers not to use ephedra and die herb is banned in die Olympics In the United States it has Critics called the Bush administration action a timid step that will cost lives Thompson to show die courage to ban this product and be willing to stand up to protect American said Sen Richard Durbin D-IIL He said The American Medical Association praised action but said more was needed what we hope will ultimately be a ban on ephedra dietary supplements- in the United The House Energy and Commerce Committee promised congressional hearings on whether a ban was necessary and die consumer advocacy group Public Citizen said it was considering suing the FDA to force a ban Ephedra manufacturers expressed relief that the FDA ban their products and said they fight the new warning labels even though they had lobbied intensely for fair weaker ones An industry spokesman argued that die Rand study actually proved ephedra works for EPHEDRA: At least 100 deaths linked to use From Page 1A yet compiled enough proof of danger to stand up in court under a 1994 law that severely limits federal safety oversight of dietary supplements "This is not die end of die story promised Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson saying a full ban was still possible and the new FDA actions would serve to build the case Meanwhile he advised people especially athletes or exercise lovers not to take die herb advice that comes two weeks after die high-profile death of an ephedra user Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler He pointed to a new review of ephecba by the Rand think tank that found it does nothing to enhance sports performance and causes only temporary loss of a few pounds take die risk? NEWS STAFFMARK ALMOND VISIONLAND: Other attractions to be announced From Page 1A Park Authority a group of 11 municipalities that afford to operate the park under a $90 million mountain of debt Southland hopes May 24-26 marics a new chapter for the amusement park The $5 million in improvements this year will be followed by another $5 million over the next five years Le-masters said A new Interstate 2059 exit by die park also should boost attendance by making die park more accessible later this year officials believe Lemasters said the park has hired 50 employees and is interviewing for other positions Meanwhile maintenance on the rides and attractions is under way Most critical has been the Rampage coaster once ranked among the five best wooden roller coasters in die country John Hinde Enterprises Inc a national roller coaster company has been working on the coaster for die past few weeks Owner John Hinde himself has been supervising the work Apart from some cosmetic and other minor adjustments die ride was in perfect working order Friday Terry Mackey the new general manager at Vi-sionLand was confident enough in the ride to be the first person to test it out Friday is one terrific he said after his first ride on what has been VisionLand's signature attraction since opening day Mackey has been in the amusement park industry since he was in college and has Vision Land general manager Terry Mackey after a ride on the Rampage worked in park management for Southland for six years at other parks the company owns or operates He promised some of die improvements at VisionLand will be just as thrilling as a ride on the Rampage are a lot of tilings coming we think people will be excited about The park is already booking company picnics corporate outings and other group packages Those can be booked by calling 432-2600 A new season pass program will soon be announced Travelers on 1-2059 Thursday night saw another sign that workers are busy preparing for the opening The VisionLand sign was lit up for the first time since the end of the season last year as workers tested it Lemasters said even the sign will not escape improvements from the new owner modifying die sign to do some design he said looking to improve COMPLETE "NO POOL PACKAGES XIMI 20year warranty pool liner Lifetime warranty pool Deluxe pool maintenance kit 2Syear warranty pool wall Lifetime warranty pool frame I Sand filter Package WE NEED YOUR USED FURNITURE! 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FINANCING 6 MONTHS SAME AS CASH PMtSot urdTY 8 Monday Fncliy 8 6 feClosod SumliyB AlmStemmtoMMteMOPHItanchftKlMliaiantoqwafr Tm upl Snrrtni li HaWirii Sir nffirid nim ulii DEMUR 350-9600 236-2500 TMISSVUE HUEYTOWN FORESTDALE 664-8100 655-7100 497-0030 798-7900 3509 Highway 31 4460fefcyRoad 1501 Valley Road F65 to Exit 242 1-59 to Ext 141 ext h59 exit at Valley Left on Nghwqr 31 lstriftlmkontyit or Jaytxrd Road 1985 Forestriale BM Highway 78 West across from WaMart Home truck 1-20 East Ex 188 2910 PL MaNaid Pfewy left at Cracker Band K)5EtitHwy67 Go About lirie lmfeomtyt i.