The days of running to the local department store or pharmacy to pick up a package of Sudafed or Claritin-D may be numbered. Legislatives are considering a law that would require a prescription for all allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine. That means if you have a runny nose or seasonal allergies, you have to pay a doctor’s visit in addition to medication cost. The purpose behind this move is to combat the use and production of meth in Oklahoma by limiting access to the ingredients. Although based on logic and reasoning, the opposition quickly points out the impractical side of imposing such a law on all public citizens, while attempting to control the Oklahoman’s that abuse the system. It places unnecessary expenses on non-meth users especially during economically stressed times. Nevertheless, in order to gain control of Oklahoma’s meth problem, lawmakers are proposing an Anti-Meth law, which requires a prescription for allergy pills containing pseudoephedrine.
Methamphetamine abuse is at epidemic levels across the nation and more prevalent in Oklahoma, which ranks among the highest of states in statistic categories (Oklahoma Drug Threat Assessment). Sometimes called White Crunch, Billy Whizz, or White Cross, the drug of choice for many Oklahomans drug addicts is Crystal Meth, a mixture of methamphetamine and amphetamine. The violence, abuse, distribution, and cost of meth cleanup have raised concerns for the safety of Oklahoma communities. It has become serious enough to require action from both the federal and state governments. Several states, including Oklahoma, have taken steps to curb the meth trend by implementing practices to control the access to meth ingredients. In 2005, Oklahoma led the nation for applying ...
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...ical approach and since it would be country wide the strength of enforcement would be greater. The law enforcement and state would have their needed support without penalizing the non-meth users. Otherwise, Oklahomans will travel elsewhere to purchase ingredients and return to produce and sell it.
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The phenomenon of Methamphetamine use and distribution is rising in our country. With this growing problem, the state of Kentucky is right at the top of the list. Manufacturing alone has more than tripled over the past four years, in the state of Kentucky. Given the rural areas and large vacant buildings, Kentucky has quickly become a breeding ground for Methamphetamine. A necessary additive for production anhydrous ammonia is available at many farm stores in the state. This phenomenon is largely costing the tax payers, as well as, putting our future generation in jeopardy. Given statistical data on the increased use and manufacturing, a definite problem is noted.
Chasing Heroin is a two-hour documentary that investigates America’s heroin crisis. The documentary details the opioid epidemic and how police offers, social workers, and public defenders are working to save the lives of addicts. The documentary explores the origins and continuing causes behind the heroin epidemic such as; massive increases in opioid painkillers starting at the turn of the century, Mexican drug cartels who are now rooted in upper-middle-class neighborhoods, and the cheap price of heroin when compared to prescription pain killers. A program in Seattle called LEAD is explored. This program channels addicts into a system that points them toward help (rehab, temporary housing, counseling, methadone treatment) instead of prison
Various pharmaceutical companies are resisting the changes by lobbying against the legislation that requires a prescription. This was the second most disturbing part of the video to me because these companies care far more about money and profits than the wellbeing and safety of the American people. This documentary offers a plan of action to take in reducing the number of meth related crimes and incidents in the United States. Other states should follow Oregon’s model by making legislation that
Ice, crank, meth, crystal, tweak, go fast otherwise known as Crystal Methamphetamine, in the United States is at epidemic levels. 1
Tunnell, Kenneth D. "The Oxycontin Epidemic And Crime Panic In Rural Kentucky." Contemporary Drug Problems 32.2 (2005): 225-258. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
“An estimated 4.7 million Americans (2.1% of the U.S. population) have tried MA at some time in their lives” (Anglin, Burke, Perrochet, Stamper, and Dawud-Noursi 137-141). 4.7 million is a huge number of people who have admitted to trying (or using) methamphetamine, and that is only in one country! That number is undoubtedly rising every single day. The general public need to be educated about this harmful drug, so that they will hopefully have a better idea of how to deal with it if they happen to come face-to-face with methamphetamine. The drug is a growing problem in our country, and many people will possibly either see someone who is suffering with an amphetamine addiction, see the drug being trafficked, or come in contact with it.
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“Bureau of Justice Statistics Drugs and Crime Facts: Contents” bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/dcf/contents.cfm 2007. Web 15 Mar. 2012.
... states have done this although in different ways. This however does not mean that the national government has been left from a constitutional perspective as it must turn to the “equal protections” clause to claim a clearer and broad mandate for action. However, it seems the Drug Policy is left open for debate.
"National Drug Threat Assessment Summary." Welcome to the United States Department of Justice. U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. .
In order to establish an effective and long-lasting drug policy, governments have to: tailor policy-making to the majority’s beliefs, clearly define the set of established laws, and strictly enforce it amongst the masses. A task that the federal government has failed to accomplish long-term, but states have strived
“Office of National Drug Control Policy.” The White House. USA, 1 Dec. 2011. Web. 8 Dec. 2011. .
Drug abuse has been a hot topic for our society due to how stimulants interfere with health, prosperity, and the lives of others in all nations. All drugs have the potential to be misapplied, whether obtained by prescription, over the counter, or illegally. Drug abuse is a despicable disease that affects many helpless people. Majority of those who are beset with this disease go untreated due to health insurance companies who neglect and discriminate this issue. As an outcome of missed opportunities of treatments, abusers become homeless, very ill, or even worst, death.