Pubdate: Mon, 22 Aug 2005
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Steve Bovair
Note: Headline by newshawk, parenthetical remark by the Sun editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

RESTRICTING ACCESS TO COLD MEDICATIONS WILL CREATE NEW PROBLEMS

The Ontario government is considering a potential requirement of a 
prescription for cold medications such as Sudafed, Contac or any medication 
containing pseudoephedrine (to curb the production of crystal meth). So, 
this means someone with a simple runny nose during cold season would have 
to wait 10 or more days to see their family doctor in order to get a 
prescription for Actifed? That is, assuming they can even get a family 
doctor. Then what is that going to do to the cost once you add in the 
dispensing fee?

In case someone hasn't noticed, there are borders to the west, east and 
south of Ontario where Tylenol cold medicine could be purchased. Criminals 
surely would not figure that out, would they?

The proliferation of crystal meth is a very serious issue. However, making 
it difficult for the general public in Ontario to access pseudoephedrine is 
only going to create new problems. Criminals will get their grimy hands on 
it somehow. Restricting access is only going to add an aggressive and 
violent element to them doing so.

Steve Bovair

Burlington

(So the solution is...?)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom