Posted on 12/30/2004 12:32:37 PM PST by Earl B.
Okay, so I call in sick yesterday because I woke up feeling awful. Stuffy/runny nose. Muscle aches, fever, chills, headache. I took a couple of Advil, but still don't feel well enough to drive an hour to the office.
Later, in the afternoon, I feel well enough to go to the drugstore to get some cold medicine. Pop into Rite-Aid and grab a box of Drixoral (which works very well for my congestion/sinus issues). I also grab a couple of boxes of Triaminic Soft-Chews, because my son is very congested too and they work well for him.
When I get to the register, the computer flags my purchase somehow, and the cashier informs me that I can't buy all three items. Huh? It really wasn't registering with me. In my weakened state, I thought that I didn't have enough cash, or my card was being rejected. But I hadn't tendered any cash or attempted to use my card, so how could the cashier know what I could afford? I asked for a clarification.
The cashier told me that I could by any two of the items I wanted, but not all three. Why? Federal Law. Federal Law dictates how mcuh cold medicine I can buy for me and my family? I ask to speak to a manager.
Manager confirms - they can't sell me all three items. Apparently the active ingredient in my chosen medicines (Pseudoephedrine HCL) can be used to manufacture methamphetamine or some such. So Federal law limits how much I can buy.
Flabbergasted and defeated, I buy the Drixoral and ONE box of Triaminic. I took my purchases to my car, then walked into the grocery store next to Rite-Aid and bought another Triaminic.
Another glorious battle in the nation's War on Drugs.
Anyone remember far enough back to when you could by Coke syrup over the counter at a soda fountain to settle a stomach problem? Not exactly sure what was in it, but it worked great.
What is it called and who makes it?
This is, that's about the only thing that gives me any relief from my seasonal allergies, including the Physician's Monopoly Meds. Forget about buying in bulk.
But what happened to you is a perfect example of how "Zero Tolerance" really excuses "Zero Thinking."
This insane aspect of our never ending War on (Some) Drugs has got to get smarter, not dumber... but maybe that's impossible.
F*ckers.
Of course out here in Cal., we were probably the first to enact this law. I believe there is also an age limit on buying cold medicine (like 16 or 18) as well.
It's a good thing it is a law. Just look at the dramatic decline in drug manufacturing and use since it took effect. /sarcasm.
Yeah, and she drinks beer ontop of her "medication".
It's federal law and it does slow down some meth production, particularly in the "I'm out of meth, let's run to WalMart and pick up 10 bottles of Sudafed" type of producers. (You know, ignorant rednecks.) Meth is so easy to make and takes common medicines as it's main ingrediants, so many people "home brew" it. I live in Springfield MO, meth capital USA, so it's a widely known law around here.
Probably pulled because it caused cancer in lab rats.
Which proves...that Coke syrup is bad for lab rats. ;-)
This is why I keep cold medicines on hand before I ever need them. I eventually use them before the expiration date and I know I don't have to drag myself to the store when the time comes to use them.
Try getting ahold of some paragoric. Oh, that's right, you can't; it has opium in it.
Redundant.
No, it's a lot crazier. Dry counties are the result of the right of the people in those counties to choose that status.
Show me the constitutional authorization for this FEDERAL law. Do many pharmacy counters straddle state lines? Is this a national security matter?
Yep, here in Washington. In fact, a lot of the medicine (I can't remember the type, but it is mostly alergy stuff) isn't even on the shelf. You have to go ask for it, and it is one per customer.
These laws are insanely stupid. I was in Oklahoma over Christmas and had to go to Walgreen's to buy some Tylenol Allergy/Sinus. First off, they DON'T have it on the shelves - all they have is a card for the product, which you then have to present to the pharmacist. THEN, to get the product, you have to show your ID and sign your name in a big book. I felt like I was being arrested and processed!
Big Mother is watching you! This is a nanny system gone to far. Hell, even when I buy alcohol I don't need to give my name and number. Who the hell snuck these laws on the books?
Wow...that rots. I didn't know this.
What if someone has a family of 6 (mom, dad, kids, baby)
You might need adult medicine, kids, and babies, just cold medicine and fever reducers would probably total about 4-5 purchased.
What a stupid law. If a druggie is going to get their hands on it, they have their friends go store after store and stock up.
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