Vent about limits on buying Sudafed

[Ariel Mae]

Well, you're completely wrong here. The law has had a significant impact on the number and size of meth labs across the country.

But is it on a national whole, as we should expect? I've yet to see, other than on local levels, a 'significant impact' upon the meth lab industry. It's far too little to be significant, but, really, that could be just my view.

See, I find that when you search it, the cut down is seen on a state by state level, rather than a national whole. Sure, there is a cutdown, but it isn't what we were expecting. We were expecting more of a national cutdown rather than a state by state.

 

[tinatark]

I needed some Claritin D - what a pain! Go wait in the pharmacy line at Wal Mart - they have 8 people in the pharmacy area, and only one register open. Wait in line behind everyone waiting for their scripts, give your id and finally get the meds!

 

[peachgirl]

But is it on a national whole, as we should expect? I've yet to see, other than on local levels, a 'significant impact' upon the meth lab industry. It's far too little to be significant, but, really, that could be just my view.

I don't know where you're doing your research, but it's just a fact that these laws have had a significant impact on a national level. It varies state by state depending on how restrictive the laws are, but overall, there has been a 30% reduction in meth lab production in the last few years.

You may not like the law, but you are simply incorrect when you say it isn't working.

 

[Steffi]

It's such a pain in the butt to get sinus pills anymore, and I feel like a criminal buying them.

Sudafed used to have chewable kids' pills. They were 15mg each, which was usually perfect for any sinus problems I had. Now I can't get these anywhere, grrr.

I just hope that the laws are accomplishing something. But I have a feeling that it's just a law that was put into motion to make lawmakers feel like they're addressing the problem without actually having to do anything.

 

[peachgirl]

I needed some Claritin D - what a pain! Go wait in the pharmacy line at Wal Mart - they have 8 people in the pharmacy area, and only one register open. Wait in line behind everyone waiting for their scripts, give your id and finally get the meds!

That would be more of a problem with Wal Mart and their pain in the butt way of doing things than it is with the law.

I wonder if it's like other things, State laws can be different than federal law (like in the case of minimum wage).

That is how it works. There is a federal law in place, but various states have enacted their own laws as well, some much more restrictive and some of them well before the federal law was put in place.

 

[chell]

I just bought Sudafed yesterday and I got it right off the shelf. It is the "new" Sudafed without the pseudoephedrine in it. (white box with green on it). I've been taking this for years before they changed it so I hope it works semi close to what I want. There are 24 pills in the box, but I'm not sure of the mgs. I know you only take 1 at a time. Up until recently I had to get it from the pharmacy and I could buy 3 boxes at one time and I never had to sign anything for it. Our Claritan is right on the shelf too. There are only a very small amount now that need to be behind the counter (at least in my store).

That isn't the one they can make meth from. For some people, myself included, this one simply doesn't work. I have to have the real stuff. With all my allergies, you have GOT to have this stuff along with Allegra, Singulair and nose spray to keep breathing free.

 

[chell]

I thought medical companies gave meds to doctor's offices to distribute to patients to try, or maybe low income patients? I didn't realize they were for the doctor's family & personal use.

In the office I work in most all of them do go to the patients but on occasion a staff member does get one. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Try buying anything with pseudoephedrine in it during cold season in a town with only 3 pharmacies...I was sicker than a dog - Safeway was completely out of cold meds, Walmart had a huge supply but their computer had been down for 2 weeks and all of their "logs" for recording your id, name etc were computerized. So while they had plenty of it in stock they couldn't sell you any. I lucked out and the last place I went had 2 - yes only 2 boxes of Aleve cold & sinus.

I'm all for stopping the meth problem - it's horrible here and I personally know a few people that have become addicted. But the problem is they will just find something else to use to make it.

 

[Mkrop]

In the office I work in most all of them do go to the patients but on occasion a staff member does get one. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

And I think this would give the Dr's feedback on whether the drug worked. If it worked on my nurse's daughter and my wife for X then I shuld probably give this drug to my patients for X.

I dont see anything wrong with it.

 

[ducklite]

Well, you're completely wrong here. The law has had a significant impact on the number and size of meth labs across the country.

I'd like to see some facts to back up your statement.

Anne

 

[chell]

No, because actually if you really need it you can get a prescription from your doctor for a bottle of 100 generic Sudafed. Or at least you can in our state. I didn't come up with the law.... I just am required to enforce it. Lots of laws cause inconvenience for many - this more than likely will not end the drug problem, but I for one am glad they are doing something!!!

Thanks for the tip! I'll check with my doctor next month to see if our state allows this. It sure would help me a lot.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We ran into this same problem 2 summers ago when I tried to buy Allergy meds for DD on a Sunday night on vacation. It was impossible.

Also, did you know that you need a prescription to buy bottles of saline? I went to get a liter bottle of saline to clean a wound on FIL's foot and you needed a script. IT IS SALT WATER!

 

[TCPluto]

Okay, then. Let's put a limit on cough syrups and matches, as they can be used, separately, for drugs. Really, if you look at it in the big picture, it's done nothing but make buying sudafed a nusience. Has it cut down the meth problem? I truly doubt it, based on what I'm seeing, locally. The meth problem has increased.

Actually you're looking at "your" picture only, and it's quite small.

When you step back and look at the big picture, as you suggest, you can see that this law has had a significant and far reaching impact. Clandestine lab production of meth is way down, and it's because of this law.

I don't know where you are locally, but if you're in or near an urban area, crack still reigns as king and will never be surplanted. Meth has made a very slight impact in these aeras.

What is nusience???

 

[peachgirl]

I'd like to see some facts to back up your statement.

Anne

You didn't ask me, but here's one source:

http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/testimony/2006/WaltersTestimony060621.pdf

The law has little impact on meth use since local meth production isn't responsible for a majority of the supply. But there's just no question that the laws have had a huge impact on the labs themselves.

 

[TCPluto]

I'd like to see some facts to back up your statement.

Anne

I'm just going from personal experience as part of the clan lab response team.

Please provide the statistics you seem so committed to.

 

[ducklite]

Actually you're looking at "your" picture only, and it's quite small.

When you step back and look at the big picture, as you suggest, you can see that this law has had a significant and far reaching impact. Clandestine lab production of meth is way down, and it's because of this law.

I don't know where you are locally, but if you're in or near an urban area, crack still reigns as king and will never be surplanted. Meth has made a very slight impact in these aeras.

What is nusience???

The comapny I work for just closed a store in a rural part of a mid-Atlantic state. We had two problems. First, we couldn't find enough people to test negative on drug tests and not have felony convictions in the past five years to staff the store with anymore, and second, the customer base had diminished to the point of almost zilch because almost the entire town is on meth. It was a losing battle, so we cut our losses and closed shop as soon as the lease was up.

BTW--The chief of police was recently caught using meth with two of the five officers that work for this town.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

You didn't ask me, but here's one source:

http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/testimony/2006/WaltersTestimony060621.pdf

The law has little impact on meth use since local meth production isn't responsible for a majority of the supply. But there's just no question that the laws have had a huge impact on the labs themselves.

All those numbers prove to me is that the meth labs are becoming more careful about evading authorities.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I'm just going from personal experience as part of the clan lab response team.

Please provide the statistics you seem so committed to.

See post #96.

Anne

 

[chell]

The comapny I work for just closed a store in a rural part of a mid-Atlantic state. We had two problems. First, we couldn't find enough people to test negative on drug tests and not have felony convictions in the past five years to staff the store with anymore, and second, the customer base had diminished to the point of almost zilch because almost the entire town is on meth. It was a losing battle, so we cut our losses and closed shop as soon as the lease was up.

BTW--The chief of police was recently caught using meth with two of the five officers that work for this town.

Anne

Sounds to me like they were going after the wrong types of employees. I work in an office that does drug testing daily and while we do get bad screenings we get plenty of clean ones back every day. Keep in mind I live in an area of NC where there are a lot of pot heads, so I'm shocked there are so many clean drug tests coming back. There are plenty of clean ones out there, the companies just have to look in the right places.

 

[chell]

Back to the main point of the thread...

Yes, it is a major pain to get Sudafed. I used to be able to go to Big Lots and get a box of 24 generic for only 99 cents. I would stock up on the stuff and have enough to last me for a year at a time. When allergy or cold season hits I need a lot on hand because when I get sick I really don't feel like going out and going shopping. And now I really don't feel like going through all of the hassle to get it. Some of the stores here have rather rude employees anyway and they make you feel like you are a bad guy just for buying the stuff.