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Lawmaker wants to ban drugs like Sudafed
associated press ^ | January 10, 2005

Posted on 01/10/2005 6:48:57 PM PST by Dog Gone

AUSTIN - A state senator who wants to eliminate from the market drugs that contain mainly pseudoephedrine has introduced a series of four bills for returning lawmakers.

Under the legislation by Sen. Craig Estes, no one would be able to buy drugs like Sudafed in Texas. But he said consumers could still buy other congestion remedies containing the decongestant, as long as it is mixed into capsules and cough syrups.

"We hope the general public will realize that a little inconvenience will go a long way," Estes, R-Wichita Falls, told the Scripps Howard Austin bureau in Monday's editions of the Abilene Reporter-News.

In Oklahoma, passage of state legislation last spring that banned store sales of popular medications like Sudafed and Claritin-D that contain pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in methamphetamine, was credited with reducing the number of methamphetamine labs during the first six months of 2004.

Police and prosecutors have been "inundated by meth abusers and cookers" who have crossed into Texas after Oklahoma outlawed over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in methamphetamine production, Estes said.

Restricting sales of common cold remedies that contain the illegal drug's key ingredient could aid in the fight against drugs, said Capt. Doug Kunkle of the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin.

"It will really reduce the amount of meth they will cook here," Kunkle said. "Anything that can bring us relief ... will be helpful."

DPS officials and other law officers, in a 12-month period that ended in May 2004, busted 934 labs. That number represents a 167 percent increase over a 12-month period ending in December 2002.

"This is drug that is terribly addictive and leads to death and destruction of family and property," Estes said. "It's an overwhelming problem."

The 79th Legislature opens Tuesday


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: bignannywatchingyou; dumbanddumber; health; nannystatism; wodlist
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To: Dog Gone

The drug war has failed. Time to move on. Maybe even reinstate the Bill of Rights, but let's not get too crazy all at once.


21 posted on 01/10/2005 7:09:52 PM PST by mysterio
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To: PhiKapMom
It is a pain but worth it if it puts a dent in the meth labs.

Guess what? It won't. It's just a pain - brought to you by Big Stupid Government and their ridiculous War on Some Drugs.

See my tagline and open your eyes.

22 posted on 01/10/2005 7:10:15 PM PST by Hank Rearden (Never allow anyone who could only get a government job attempt to tell you how to run your life.)
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To: COEXERJ145

Hmmm, the reaction over at that thread didn't seem much more receptive than here.


23 posted on 01/10/2005 7:10:50 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: KoRn
I hate taking my kids to the damned Doctor just to get a prescription for something like an ear infection, when we know what's wrong with them.

The problem with that is you'll have people taking antibiotics for things like a Cold and the Flu neither of which it will help. Overusing antibiotics is why we're seeing these superbugs, usually staph, that only the strongest and newest antibiotics can kill.

Other drugs have potential side effects and only someone with medical training will know if it is safe for a person to take or mix with other medications.

24 posted on 01/10/2005 7:11:46 PM PST by COEXERJ145
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To: Dog Gone

Pseudoephedrine is (IMHO) of questionable value anyway. I took that crap for years due to sinus problems that defied any and all solutions.

I took Sudafed (or any generic equivalent) to open up the nasal passages, which helped me breathe, but it also caused terrible drainage into my throat, which meant that upon awakening, I found my sinus starting to open up, but my throat was damn near blocked. Very scary sensation. Went to a ear/nose/throat specialist who told me I had sinus problems (DUH) combined with sleep apnea. Wanted me to spend the rest of my life on a night-time breathing machine. I said 'uh uh'.

ANYway. I stopped taking the pseudoephedrine compounds, started taking Olive Leaf Extract combined with large amounts of Vitamin C, E and B-50. Within a few months my sinus were like brand new, I haven't taken a Sudafed since, once in a while I get some congestion from dust, ragweed, etc., and one Benadryl will clear that right up.

So I wouldn't miss Sudafed one bit. And if it put the meth and crank dealers out of business, all the better. I still chafe at the idea however, that this is one more example of government 'protecting us from ourselves'.


25 posted on 01/10/2005 7:12:06 PM PST by Mad Mammoth
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To: Dog Gone

"And they'll still figure out a way to get it."

When sudafed is outlawed, only outlaws will have sudafed.

The rest will have clogged sinuses.

That slogan still makes perfect sense to me.


26 posted on 01/10/2005 7:12:54 PM PST by jocon307 (Ann Coulter was right)
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To: Dog Gone

I wonder how high the profit margin is to gearup, fund the manpower and enforce newly illegalized drugs? Gov't doesn't just absorb costs quietly and have basically allowed the enforcement agencies to become agencies for profit.

This extremely dangerous approach to law enforcement has been accepted as normal for way too many decades. Legal or illegal is another argument. 'For Profit' has become the argument on both sides of drug laws.

Curing a problem, ending a cycle, turning the page, always includes a visit to the unemployment line. Until that problem is fixed, hide the aspirin, that's next.

IMHO :-)


27 posted on 01/10/2005 7:13:01 PM PST by JoeSixPack1
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To: Dog Gone
Anyone who wishes to contact their Senators can use the link below. Just click the name for contact info and an e-mail form.

I'm writing a letter to Steve Ogden right now.

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members.htm

28 posted on 01/10/2005 7:13:49 PM PST by COEXERJ145
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To: mysterio

This is only remotely related to the War on Drugs. It is, in a sense, because it's an irrational extension of it. It's like a ban on salt because it can be used in the manufacture of drugs, despite the fact that many of us nacho-eaters would die without it.


29 posted on 01/10/2005 7:14:33 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: Dog Gone

this is just plain stupid. This over the counter drug works great when you have a cold, especially the 24hr version.

This is the nanny state in action. Anything that might possibly hurt you should be prohibited, HOWEVER IF THESE POLITICIANS NEED THIS DRUG THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT. Remember how the congress critters all were able to get cipro for anthrax?


30 posted on 01/10/2005 7:15:47 PM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: Dog Gone

I think it's a good idea. Crystal Meth destroys lives. I'd be willing to buy my sudafed one packet at a time. I have no doubt it helps, why else would these folks be driving to Texas?


31 posted on 01/10/2005 7:16:40 PM PST by jjw
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To: jjw

If we ban water, then no drugs could be made. Still on board? How far are you willing to go?


32 posted on 01/10/2005 7:18:19 PM PST by mysterio
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To: Dog Gone
We hope the general public will realize that a little inconvenience will go a long way," Estes, R-Wichita Falls

I wonder if the general public would realize that inconveniencing people like this with some tar, feathers, and a free ride out of town on a rail is a public service?

(My first reaction is to tar, feather, and tie them to a rail track, but why be violent?)

33 posted on 01/10/2005 7:20:32 PM PST by ApplegateRanch (The world needs more horses, and fewer Jackasses!)
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To: Mad Mammoth
It's not quite fair to put your personal experience as the norm for everyone else. I don't take Sudafed regularly, usually three or four days in a row during the springtime and it helps me during those weird periods when I need it.

I don't want to go sign a bunch of papers to get it when I could just toss it in the basket along with the rest of my groceries simply because some cretins in the backwoods are cooking meth with it.

34 posted on 01/10/2005 7:20:35 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: Dog Gone

The aim is to prevent mass purchases of legal cold remedies with pseudoephedrine to cook meth. Under legislation adopted in a number of states, including California, the allowed limit is 9 grams. Obviously that's more than most people use to fight off a winter cold. When you consider meth addicts buy thousands of cold pills to cook the drug, any restriction's helpful. And meth labs are toxic waste dumps that have to cleaned up with costs running into the thousands of dollars. States that have imposed tough purchase rules have seen the number of meth lab raids fall by over 80%. Something to think about in a problem in which taxpayers ultimately end up footing the tab.


35 posted on 01/10/2005 7:21:19 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: PhiKapMom

"Here in Oklahoma, we have to buy items like Sudafed back at the Pharmacy and sign for the item -- one to a customer! "

Limiting purchases to one or two packages per person at any given time is a reasonable compromise which doesn't inconvenience law abiding people.

Having to sign for legal susbstances goes way overboard, and sets up a dangerous precedent.

IMHO, always look at precedent...at the slippery slope of regulations, especially the well intentioned ones.


36 posted on 01/10/2005 7:22:14 PM PST by Dat Mon (will work for clever tagline)
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To: mysterio
California city nearly bans water
37 posted on 01/10/2005 7:22:15 PM PST by COEXERJ145
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To: ChefKeith

The rules are aimed at home-grown labs. Most of the meth in this country comes from professional Mexican drug rings. Its an addiction more potent than cocaine or heroin. Users live just for the highs.


38 posted on 01/10/2005 7:23:33 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: COEXERJ145

Yeah, that's true.


39 posted on 01/10/2005 7:25:17 PM PST by KoRn
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To: PhiKapMom

Yep - the #1 sinus medication available (ingredient-wise - pseudoephedrine) to be banned? Ugh...

I guess we should ban spray paint, gasoline, and other inhalants that kids huf.

Let's also BAN alcohol in all medications - there are those who intentionally misuse those too.

Where does it end? Everything under the sun can and is misused in some way. So let's penalize the average Joe that just needs some relief from a stuffy nose.....

How about some logical laws to fight illegal drugs - let's institute the death penalty for dealing/manufacturing the drug....


40 posted on 01/10/2005 7:25:33 PM PST by TheBattman (Islam (and liberals)- the cult of Satan)
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