BUTLER, Mo. -- A high school athletic director was arrested in Bates County and faces drug charges.

Police said the charges filed Wednesday against Butler R-5 High School's athletic director, Mitch Warmbrodt, 46, involve pharmaceuticals containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, commonly used as a decongestant in over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines.

Pharmacists have to dispense these medicines from the pharmacy counter and keep track of how much is bought, because the stimulant in the pills is a key ingredient for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Warmbrodt was charged with two counts of purchasing or otherwise acquiring more than 9 grams of the drug product within a 30-day period.

The superintendent of the school district said Warmbrodt is on administrative leave.