Pubdate: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 Source: Concord Monitor (NH) Copyright: 2000 Monitor Publishing Company Contact: One Monitor Drive Concord, NH 03302-1177 Fax: (603) 224-8120 Website: http://207.180.37.15/ Author: James J. Adams, MD Bookmark: MAP's link to New Hampshire articles is: http://www.mapinc.org/states/nh STORE MAKES DRUG READILY AVAILABLE Why does the Cumberland Farms across from the high school have a large display of "bronchodilator" at the front counter and much smaller displays of Tylenol, Motrin, etc., off in a corner? Only the intentionally naive would believe that this was for the purpose of treating illness. Ephedrine is a substance of abuse. When abused, it causes delirium or psychosis and has been the cause of death. There is a growing national awareness of the threat of ephedrine and the need to control its use. While ephedrine is still a legal, over-the-counter drug, the "convenience" of easily available "bronchodilator" ephedrine is a sham! In making an informal survey of convenience stores, I found that the Capital Farms - a former Cumberland Farms store - did not sell ephedrine. The Tedeschi convenience store across from Cumberland Farms did not sell it. The Store-24 clerk sold no "bronchodilators." She said, "We wouldn't do that!" with the same tone as one might say "We wouldn't put poison in our coffee." In short, the wrongfulness of such sales was perfectly clear to her. I found this drug only at the Cumberland Farms. The sale of this drug did not seem to reflect a market niche but a peculiar decision of Cumberland Farms. As I visited various Cumberland Farms, I listened to the shame of clerks who realized what was being sold but felt they had no control. They explained that they were required to ID to see that buyers were over 18. A quick look at all the smoking children outside the Cumberland Farms illustrates just how helpful this kind of policy is. These stores are pandering to drug abuse. Though legal, I believe that this practice is no more acceptable than having a prominent display of "sniffing" glue or spray paint in a convenience store. Cumberland Farms should discontinue this practice, apologize to the community and offer a sizable donation to an anti-drug abuse program. JAMES J. ADAMS, MD Concord - --- MAP posted-by: Eric Ernst