Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jun 2005
Source: Herald, The (SC)
Copyright: 2005 The Herald
Contact:  http://www.heraldonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/369

RESTRICT SALE OF COLD MEDICINE

Having to ask a pharmacist for a bottle of cold medicine is not too
high a price to pay if it helps alleviate the rise in methamphetamine
abuse.

More than a dozen states already have laws that require retailers to
sell Sudafed, Nyquil and other cold remedies only from behind the
pharmacy counter. Sudafed and other cold relievers contain
pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient used in "cooking" meth in makeshift
labs across the nation.

Now Congress is considering legislation that would make restrictions
on the sale of these cold remedies a federal law. And while retailers
once complained that the policy would be too inconvenient for
customers, they and the pharmaceutical companies that make the drugs
now seem willing to go along.

Abuse of meth has reached epidemic proportions in some parts of the
country, particularly on the West Coast, and use is rising nationwide.
This highly addictive stimulant offers a sustained high at a low cost,
making it a popular substitute for more expensive cocaine.

But meth causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, and can
result in irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain, causing
strokes. Other effects can include respiratory problems, irregular
heartbeat and severe anorexia because users often don't eat while on
the drug. Another side effect of smoking meth repeatedly is crumbling
teeth, teeth that literally crack and fall out.

In short, this is a very dangerous drug, and if regulating the sale of
cold remedies will help reduce production of it, customers can deal
with the inconvenience. There is no reason that even someone with a
monster cold needs easy access to unlimited quantities of cold medicine.

Congress should make the restrictions universal.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin