what can we do about the sudafed ban?

[wli]

I've only got a couple of ideas thus far.

1. recall state senators and/or representatives that passed it (no idea if it's even possible)
2. protest (more likely to get people killed than anything done)
3. move to a free country

I don't see anything likely to work yet. Any other ideas?

[DemInDistress]

1. let's start a letter writing campaign

to the "DRUG COMPANIES" hell Americans have grown comfortable with OTC medicines for a cold/flu...why cant law enforcement offer cash bounties no questions asked for "meth labs" information.I do dont support meth,I been there during the 70/80's .I do however support "HEMP" Drug companies may feel a pinch if we people dont have ez access to Dristan,Sudafed

[wli]

2. sounds kind of weak... class action lawsuit against the state of Oregon?

I've no idea what's possible, really.

[FloridaPat]

3. What Sudafed ban?

[mcscajun]

4. Well, not ban exactly...at least not in most states I'm aware of...

...but because an important ingredient in Sudafed (and similar OTC meds) is also an important ingredient for basement/backyard methamphetamine "manufacturers", most pharmacies are keeping it behind the counter now, purchasers must sign a log per purchase, and there are purchase limits.

Is there an actual Ban in Oregon?

[wli]

5. a law passed today making it prescription-only

It sounds like a ban to me, i.e. "controlled substance."

[mcscajun]

8. Damn. That is absurd.

Disclaimer: I don't 'cook' or use 'meth' nor do I take Sudafed. It still stinks.

[nosmokes]

6. it's an uphill fight to repeal it for a number of reasons,

even for being such an asinine provision. for one thing you won't be able to get the whole-hearted support of the medical community , because they don't believe in the efficacy of the medicines to begin with. never mind the fact that you couldn't process enough product out of one package to get a lab rat buzzed, and forget that it does help some people if if it's nothing more than a placebo effect. me, being an addict i don't go near the stuff, because it makes feel uncomfortable, but it's stupid crap like this when the schools are over crowded and we're cutting back onOHP and more folks are going hungry and homeless and our government is wasting time on this?!? as soon as iherad this passed i fired off emails to barnhart and morrisette asking them if they din't think they had more pressing business to attend to, because i damn sure thought they did.

[wli]

7. I'm thinking it's time to leave the country for health reasons

Because, well, I have health reasons to leave the country.

I've never heard of pseudoephedrine being mind-altering; in fact, the same holds for ephedrine proper. Pseudoephedrine seems to just be a weaker form of ephedrine.

[unschooler]

13. Pseudoephedrine is the ONLY medicine I ever gave my children

when they were very young. IMO, it helps prevent ear infections and croup, not just stuffy noses. Having to pay $70 for an office visit to get the stuff puts a huge burden on families.

Why in the hell does putting it behind the counter not solve the problem?

We don't want to recall otherwise-good dems such as MacPherson and Burdick over this, but should certainly be reminding them about who they work for - LOUD and CLEAR.

[sandnsea]

9. Greg MacPherson

That's who introduced this and pushed for it's passage. That's who I emailed. I hadn't thought of the increased cost of doctor's visits to the OHP at the time, that's even more reason to repeal this part of the bill. If making people sign a log hasn't stopped it, a prescription won't either. It's just plain dumb. Look at Rush Limbaugh.

[e-mail]

[wli]

10. so can we recall Greg MacPherson?

Bad bill, you get recalled. Sounds like a good idea to me.

[0rganism]

11. Drive across the border, buy in bulk

It's what all the meth cooks will do. Why let them have all the decongestants?

I'm certain Vancouver (Washington) is going to see an unparalleled early rush on cold medicines this year, so your best bet is probably Longview or Camas.

[sandnsea]

12. Now I'm even madder

Portland has one of the worst problems in the state, originated from a Portland Rep, and this law is going to have the least affect because the meth cooks can just go aross the river.

One of these days they're going to be smuggling sudafed and antibiotics into this country.

[unschooler]

14. I'll be picking up a box or two any time I'm outside the state.

We can't get through the cold & flu season without the stuff.

Stupid, stupid legislation.

[HuckleB]

15. Buy! Sell! Buy! Sell!

Alas, there is no good answer.