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USE COMMON SENSE

Since humans first discovered mind altering substances, a small percentage of every society has sought different and better ways to entertain themselves with chemistry.  A constant thread through history is the debilitating effect such a pursuit has on those using the substances, the people around them and, to a lesser extent, their larger community.

In recent years, America has seen "epidemic" use of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, "designer drugs" such as Ecstasy, and crack, an altered form of cocaine that delivers a stronger effect for a shorter duration.

The use of different drugs has ebbed and flowed, but the constant is the user.  There are always those who will risk their health, the happiness of their families, their freedom and their lives for a quick high.  Today's "epidemic" is methamphetamine, a crude and potent substance that can be cooked up virtually anywhere using common household chemicals and over-the-counter cold medication.  It's an interesting diversion from the usual illegal drug paradigm in that the ease of creating the substance short-circuits the dealer-buyer framework, giving drug enforcement officers a new challenge.

This week, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a measure some say would help reduce the methamphetamine cottage industry by restricting the sale of a key ingredient - ephedrine and pseudoephedrine - the active element of many cold and allergy medications available without prescription.  The House-approved measure would restrict the sale of such medications, and require people who want the products to ask for them, show an ID and sign for their purchase.  Lawmakers should give this another thought; the measure assumes anyone who simply wants relief from cold symptoms is a potential meth lab operator.  Over-the-counter medications such as cold and allergy remedies containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are legal.  The substances are not narcotics and do not require prescriptions.  Subjecting law-abiding citizens to such harassment is an invasion of privacy and a heavy-handed, ill-conceived and likely ineffective approach to a societal ill.

A better solution would be to urge retailers to be responsible in the sale of the medication.  Common sense suggests that a man or woman buying a couple of packages of cold medication likely has a sick spouse or child at home.  The same person buying a large quantity of the same items likely has other plans in mind.