The Coming Legislative War Over the Oklahoma Methamphetamine Bill

You know how I feel about the issue – I favor requiring tablet form of pseudoephedrine being a prescription only drug. Here is a story about the State of Okalahoma.

Oklahoma authorities have been at the forefront of the nation’s battle against methamphetamine, but they will soon have a tough new opponent: a politically connected, well-heeled pharmaceutical industry.

At issue is a proposal to require a prescription for certain cold and allergy tablets containing pseudoephedrine. Police and prosecutors say the measure is essential for curbing an out-of-control meth trade. Drug companies and their lobbyists are eager to keep pills such as Claritin-D and Advil Cold and Sinus on store shelves.

There has been plenty of evidence that Oregon has had great success over the past five years since they have required a doctor’s prescription for pseudoephedrine.

Five years ago, Oregon became the first state to require a prescription for products containing pseudoephedrine — a step that authorities say was effective. Since then, the state has seen a 96 percent reduction in meth-lab incidents, a 32 percent drop in meth arrests and a 35 percent reduction in meth-related emergency room visits and health care costs.

In 2008, two years after the law took effect, the state experienced the nation’s largest crime rate decrease, said Rob Bovett, a district attorney in Lincoln County, Ore.

Mississippi is the only other state to impose a similar restriction, and it also has seen a tremendous drop in the number of meth labs.

“If you see a reduction between 10 and 15 percent, that’s a big deal, and we’re between 60 and 70 percent. And it almost happened overnight,’’ said Marshall Fisher, director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

Oklahoma should pass a prescription only law. The inconvenience to a few allergy sufferers is NOTHING compared to the devastation of this drug on the health and welfare of its citizens. Besides the Oklahoma law only applies to the tablet form of pseudoephedrine. Gel caps and liquid would still be available over the counter.

But, the pharmaceutical companies will wage a war against the legislation because it is all about the money and profits.

Oklahoma legislators should weigh the cost/benefits carefully.