St. Charles County Residents React to New Law Requiring Prescriptions for Cold Medications

Sniffles, sinus headaches or allergies? Starting next month St. Charles County residents suffering these cold and allergy symptoms won’t have the option to .

On Monday night, St. Charles County joined a number of other Missouri communities in approving a law requiring prescriptions for medications that include pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. Both compounds are staples for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

While county officials say the new regulations are aimed at curbing meth production throughout St. Charles County, some residents say drug producers will find other means, while sick people suffer and are forced to pay more to get the treatment they need. 

The council's decision sparked heated conversation from Patch readers week. Quotes are featured here exactly as they appeared on Facebook and Patch sites. They have not been edited for spelling, grammar or content.

Sounding off

 “I think I will be driving to another county to get it and they will be getting my tax dollars because with a large family, I don't always have the time to get a prescription for sinus congestion. It is the only medicine that works for me.” -Tammie Gebhardt-Thuet, O'Fallon Patch Facebook

“I think they made it harder for sick people to get meds. The people using it for drugs will find what they need anyway.”-Stacy Meehan Donnelly, Wentzville Patch Facebook

“So much for representing the PEOPLE... It's already signed in-spite of overwhelming numbers of PEOPLE against it. The receptionist for the council said the majority of calls were against it. READ THE COMMENTS those that represent US.” -Jeff Little, St. Charles Patch Facebook

“Wow! So what about those without health insurance? And now our allergy medicine will cost an office visit AND a co-pay? I don't know about this...seems like there could have been some other way to deal with this very serious issue...Addiction is a terrible, terrible illness harming more than one's self but one's family and community...and here is yet another harm...siigh...s'pose that's just the world we live in today...{deep siiiiiighhh}.” -Rev. Renita Marie Lamkin,

“@ Rev Lamkin- There are still plenty of other options for colds that don't require a prescription. This is a move in the right direction but not sure how effective it will be. We own a pharmacy and have been broken into for thieves to steal Sudafed. I'm concerned that will become more common as it gets harder for meth makers to aquire this ingredient. We might just stop selling it altogether.” -Shanna Palans,

 “i agree w/ rev. lamkin. by the way the nurse pract. cost $60 to visit. i do not have insurance and according to the state am not eligible for any state aid. i also do not have high blood pressure and/ or heart problems. this decision has an adverse effect on me; and i'm sure countless others. i am sorry for those who have been hurt by meth's touch here in the county, like ms. palans' pharmacy. i wish i had the answer, i'm just not sure this will solve anything.” -Jon Hedgecorth,

“Methamphetamine abuse leads to devastating medical, psychological, and social consequences not counting criminal activity. This is the right thing to do and those of you with a stuffy nose, try something different. There are many other OTC medicines that can be used other than ephedrine or pseudo ephedrine. We as a country have to stop the drug abuse every chance we get and this is a great start. This stuff is killing families and America.” -Denis Watson,

 “While I admire your goal, your logic is flawed. No matter how many laws you pass, you will never eliminate abuses. What is killing America is that no one is held to personal responsibility anymore. I occasionally need Sudafed for relief. I don't take Meth or any other illegal drug, why should I be punished because someone else does? The problem with the banning and / or governmental control mentality is that one size does not fit all.” -Elizabeth,