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Cold medicines could face tighter limits in Indiana

January 29, 2013

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Government, Government & Economic Development, Health Care, Health Care & Insurance, Health Care & Life Sciences, Legislation, Legislature, State Government

An Indiana Senate committee has backed tougher limits on quantities consumers may buy of cold medications that can be used to make methamphetamine.

The Senate's Criminal Law Committee voted 10-0 Tuesday in favor of the bill that would allow the purchase of up to 61 grams a year of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. That's about an eight-month total of the current law's monthly limit of 7.2 grams.

Some police groups have pushed for a state law requiring a doctor's prescription for those medicines, but the bill doesn't take that step.

Bill sponsor Sen. Carlin Yoder, R-Middlebury, says he believes people with allergies and occasional illnesses will still be able to buy enough medicine under the tighter limits.

The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.

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Indiana's Political Opportunists

Mike SMarch 16, 2013 4:37 PM
Why is it that so many Indiana politicians think it's OK to inconvienience (and cost) the vast majority of cold and allergy sufferers to try to snare a very small of lawbreakers who use these meds to make meth? It's kinda like highway roadblocks that inconvenience 2,000 drivers and only catch one or two lawbreakers. These politicians are only trying to make themselves "look good" at re-election time. Us cold-sufferers will remember them then, and it may not be the outcome they wanted!

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More social engineering

MuddJanuary 30, 2013 10:01 PM
According to STATS.indiana.edu, in 2011 in Indiana has a population 6,516,922, approximately 75% over the age of 18. According to the in.gov web site, in 2011 the Indiana State Police reported 1,363 Clandestine Lab incidents. So, because 0.03% of the adult population behaves stupidly to make meth, the remaining 99.97% of the Indiana adult population -- 4,887,961 people -- many who have to deal with allergies, sinus conditions, or colds for a full 12 month year, have the opportunity to be miserable during four months of the year. Of course they can go though the loss of pay taking time from work and the expense of going to a doctor and paying for a prescription for an over-the-counter cold remedy. One can only hope the miserable four months are during an election period so the 99.97% can remember the nanny-state their elected officials are creating.

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Nonsense

EricJanuary 30, 2013 3:33 PM
I have allergies stemming from my pets. Under the new restrictions, I'll be able to breathe clearly for 8 months out of the year before I hit my limit. Hitting up friends and family for Claritin D is just riddiculous.

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Get to the real issue

Kray Z. LawsJanuary 30, 2013 2:18 PM
This is really making the taxpayer feel the pain. Especially those who suffer from year-round allergies. And forget about the effects of the polluted air we breathe. Our legislators need to focus more on law enforcement to root-out those who are manufacturing these illegal drugs. Put more funding into law enforcement. This is pure craziness - another worthless law. Get to the real issues - better funding for education, law enforcement etc. Don't just put the burden on these legal medications to make it through daily life.

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Wasted Effort

CarrieJanuary 30, 2013 1:33 PM
When will the IN House focus on something intelligent instead of making our lives more difficult with non-essential rules?

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Thanks!

TerryJanuary 30, 2013 10:54 AM
I was really afraid that the legislature would go after my assault weapons and 50,000 rounds of ammo. I can always drive to Chicago for cold medicine.

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Medicine Control

Jeanette AlbertsonJanuary 29, 2013 8:40 PM
I have year round allergies, So, I can have enough medicine for 8 months, what do I do about the other 4 months? Buy some more and then go to jail. This is crazy!

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Medicine Control

BoulderJanuary 29, 2013 7:48 PM
It's so ironic that politicians want to limit our right to cold medicine because of the possibility that someone might misuse it. How about using the same logic with guns/assault weapons?

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