You can make METHAMPHETAMINES using cold medicines bought over-the-counter...?

Question

here's a clue - how about we illegalize and cease production for purchase the 'over the counter' materials used to make meth?

Tylenol Cold and Flu or whatever? Get that **** off the counter!?!?!

it's as though the answers are so simple there must be a force at work in the government trying to keep the meth production flowing

Answer 1

Specifically, it can be made from pseudoephedrine (the active ingredient in many cold medications), along with anti-freeze, and a few other things.

Guess what? You can also order just about any drug known to man from the FDA if you work in a science lab, and you can order the ingredients to make meth and many other things from a chemical supply company with very few restrictions at all. One of my professors works in a lab that keeps cocaine in stock because they're studying the mechanisms of drug addiction.

The reason that peudoephedrine is legal is that it's extremely safe, and is also the most effective treatment for certain cold symptoms. Many companies are trying to replace pseudoephedrine with phenylephrine. Well, there's a reason it disappeared when pseudoephedrine came out: it doesn't work!

The only thing that is accomplished by making it harder to get hold of OTC cold medicines is that people who have colds have a harder time getting medication. It's really not that hard for drug dealers to get hold of pseudoephedrine, and it never will be. Did you know you can order Tylenol Cold and other pseudoephedrine-containing medications from Amazon.com, no questions asked?

Incidentally, meth can't be made from the pseudoephedrine found in children's cold syrups like Triaminic or Children's Sudafed impurities. That's why they're not kept behind the counter. So it really wouldn't be that hard for them to replace the current caplet form with liquigel capsules containing the liquid form of pseudoephedrin along with whatever impurities make childrens' syrups unsuitable for meth production. So the real question is that given that there's a simple solution that would make pseudoephedrine available to cold-sufferers but not meth dealers, why don't they do that?

Answer 2

They're kept legal because they do serve a valuable purpose. I've never taken anything that made my runny nose dry up better than Sudafed.

They are working on alternatives, there's a new Sudafed PE that is different, but I've never tried it.

Many states have pulled them off the shelf and put them behind the pharmacy desk. No prescription needed, but your name is logged, and the quantities limited. I expect almost all states will do this eventually.

Unfortunately, that's just helping the Mexican cartels who have vast production abilities to take over the markets from the small-time producers. Not sure which is better, but I'm glad to not have as many meth labs in Minnesota as there were a couple years ago.

Answer 3

Many over the counter medicines that have been used to make meth are now behind the counter of the Pharmacy and you have to show an ID to purchase.

Answer 4

Look when they made booze illegal they made in the basements and backrooms of places. The meth is going to be made regardless of getting the products off the counter. They will devise another way of cutting it and processing it. Where there is a habit there's a way.
I have seen people steal from their grandparents to get high and no matter the consequences they will do what they will do.

Answer 5

In May of 2005, Governor Brad Henry (Oklahoma) was the first in the nation to pass a bill here in Oklahoma that all medicines containing the ingredients used to make meth be kept behind the counter, and they keep track of who tries to buy more than the monthly limit of 9 grams. President Bush said Brad Henry has "set a precedent for the nation". Our meth lab busts have fallen to 2 .
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20050503/ai_n14611697

Answer 6

Cold medicine can help the congestion but definitely not the head pressure.. All sinus infections are a cold gone worse but it could of been minor and she's not feeling sick until now. Best way to relieve her is take her to the doc so she can get put on antibiotics!

Answer 7

This is the reason why these meds are put behind the counter here in Oregon.

Answer 8

Actually, companies are now reformulating their products to remove the offending materials.

Answer 9

Instead of ranting here, which is for posting QUESTIONS, how about work with your local law makers? Contact your state reps to accomplish your goals?