bandman

Today was my wife’s 50th birthday. On top of that she had knee surgery last Wednesday. I busted my tail end today getting ready for a dinner party for 30-people tonight, and also took care of my wife all day. In between all that work I found time to take my daughter to the jewelers to pick up her very first pair of diamond earrings so she could wear them to Mama’s party tonight.

Most of the people were gone by 10:30 and I spent about 75 minutes cleaning up. When I was done I hurt from head to toe. When I took my evening medicine for my heart, I also took a Lortab. I didn’t drink today or tonight because I just don’t drink very much any more – even for parties. I knew tonight would be a sleepless night without a pain pill.

I’m an adult, as are thousands of people who would be in the very same situation as I was tonight. I’m not driving anywhere. After I get off the computer I’m going to bed. So in cases of responsible adults, why is it not legal to buy medications like Lortab “over the counter”. There should be no need for medication like this to have a prescription. I can see them making you be 18 or 21 to buy it, but why a doctor’s script.

People like me have a supply from health problems. I’d never share my medications with another person, but I really don’t see why some medications are prescription only. Making this medicine over the counter would put an end to a huge portion of the illegal drug trade. The only difference between this and alcohol is that it actually serves a purpose!

Why this post? As I took that pill tonight I thought to myself, What if I didn't have this? My night would have been really bad. Some people would abuse drungs like Lortab, but some people abuse alcohol. I don't know -- it was just a thought that passed through my head and I thought I'd see what y'all think!

40cal

If memory serves me correctly Lortab contains Hydrocodone, which is a narcotic analgesic. Lortab (from memory again) should be a schedule III controlled substance due to the presence of the Hydrocodone. Substances are scheduled based on their potential for abuse, medical use and potential for addiction.

Hyrdocodone, like numerous other narcotic analgesics are being abused like they are going out of style. I have encountered numerous people under the influence of narcotic analgesics. You might as well dump a bottle of Bacardi 151 down their throat, they can get that jacked up.

These folks will doctor hop, getting multiple prescriptions for the stuff. They will steal prescription pads and forge signatures, DEA#'s etc... They go to several different pharmacies to fill said prescriptions. They drive high with their kids in the car.

I can pretty much guarantee that everyone here has dealt with someone high on a narcotic analgesic. If you know what to look for, they can be pretty easy to spot.

Bandman, I'm glad you are able to find a medication that can help your particular situation.

MJ

Early this fall I was having really bad allergies. So I went to the drug store to get some medicine. Now I have to go to the counter to get this stuff. They need my license and they take down my info. Is this the way it is around the entire country ?

I guess they don't want me starting up a meth lab with my one box of Claritin

bandman

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40cal If memory serves me correctly Lortab contains Hydrocodone, which is a narcotic analgesic. Lortab (from memory again) should be a schedule III controlled substance due to the presence of the Hydrocodone. Substances are scheduled based on their potential for abuse, medical use and potential for addiction.

You are correct in everything you said above. I wonder how you would feel if I said that using your thought base that I think alcohol should also be a controlled substance?

Alcohol serves no functional purpose. Some drugs do serve a functional purpose for people like myself who have arthritis in their back, neck and shoulders. I would argue that alcohol, based on potential for abuse and potential for addiction should be controlled if certain drugs are also controlled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandman I’m an adult, as are thousands of people who would be in the very same situation as I was tonight. I’m not driving anywhere. After I get off the computer I’m going to bed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40cal They drive high with their kids in the car.

Note that I said that I only use pain medication when I’m not driving.

I agree with your point about driving. I think that a driver who gets caught DUI should lose his/her license the first time it happens for a period lf not less than one year. No exception for driving to work. The second time it should be taken for life. Getting caught while driving without a license should incur a fine in the thousands of dollars. Getting caught driving without a license and DUI should have jail time as part of the punishment.

DUI includes alcohol or drugs of any type in my book. They should also include several different types of antihistamines that impair your judgment by making you drowsy. They should also include muscle relaxers that slow down your reaction time.

I’m not in favor of drug abuse. I am in favor of making it easier to get certain drugs into the hands of people who need them without always having to go through a doctor.

B15M

tpter1

Bandman- I'veoften thought much the same thing about all drug laws. For example, Ecstasy, which is a terrible, terrible drug that can kill on the first useage. It was legal back a while ago, but now it isn't. BUT, after it became illegal, useage increased. Dramatically. Why? How many non-violent offenders are in prison today because of drug laws? At what cost to the American taxpayers? How much (what percentage) of gang-related activity is the result of illegal drugs? (I'm sure 40cal has some stats on this).

I don't think the LAWS are working. (Please do not take offense, 40cal or any other law enforcement official...I do not condone illegal drug use or any abuse of substances that alter reality or can be fatal on their first use). I think it's a symptom of a greater ill within our society.

Mikey

I think there are plenty of laws in place. It's up to the bleeding-heart judges to enforce them.

tpter1

Mikey- I agreee about the bleeding-heart judges idea, but, I don't think that tougher laws are going to stop people from using.

B15- addiction is NOT because of weak will power. Addiction (physical) is because your body accustoms chemically to certain substances and becomes dependant upon them. It has nothing to do with will power, other than the will power to say no in the first place.

I do, however, agree completely with the idea that a doctor or pharmacist or someone needs to monitor your useage; again, because they are trained to know the limits of the human body, and how much can be helpful and how much can kill, and in what combination. And not everyone is going to have the same level of integrity and human decency as our freind Bandman.

B15M

I think Addiction is a matter of willpower. I wanted to take more pills when I was on them. It would have been easy to just take another one and the doctor told me not to be in pain.

I remember going to work and my back hurt so I took a pill. An hour later my back still hurt so I took another one. The pain went away and I got high. It was a nice feeling. I felt really productive working (weather I was or not is a different question). Why not keep doing it? Because I had the willpower to stop! It was physically affecting me and it felt good to be high. When I didn't take the pills I would get in a bad mood. Taking a pill fixed that, so why not. The doctor said it was ok. After I had the operation on my back I had a lot of pills left over and I through them away. Why? Because I have willpower and the people that get sucked in don't have the will to say no. It is a decision!

Liad Bar-EL

Honors to you Dave for honoring your wife's 50th birthday by doing all of that work and suffering it "from head to toe". Your wife has a very honorable husband to risk his (your) health for her in such a way. I know what it is to prepare for 30 people for I and I my wife do this twice a year at our place. It is a lot of work!! I don't know why you did not "contract" this work out.

For her 60th birthday, take her out and save yourself hurtful work and from taking these drugs. However, if you like doing these 30 people parties, call me near the 1st of April and see what we can arrange.

There are others whose job is to deal with the drugs; so, let them worry about it. A person with a heart condition needs joy and enjoyment not worries.

Take it easy, man. Smile and be happy.

Liad Bar-EL