File this one under ...

"What is the world coming to?"

I just came from the pharmacy where I picked up some over-the-counter cold medicine for Crackerjack who has a troublesome cold ~ fever, cough, aches. You know the drill.

So when I presented said medicine to the cashier (a cough syrup beginning with Tri- and ending with -ic) I was asked to A. show my license, B. give my license number and C. sign a form!

First, a quick disclaimer: we don't typically dole out medicine for every little cough and snffle; for example my kids have - knock one wood, thank you God - never needed antibiotics. And usually when dealing with a mild illness, we go the common sense route (i.e. extra rest, fluids and ginger tea). But we do use medicine when the occasion warrants - if say, the afflicted child A. spikes a fever or B. is too miserable to sleep. Crackerjack fell into the latter category last night, and is worse off today for the lack of rest, so I decided to buy something to have for tonight should he need it.

Anyway, back to the story. While I fumbled in my purse for my license, the clerk explained that there are certain OTC medications that contain an ingredient that require a store to take down the purchaser's identification and signature. This potentially hazardous ingredient is called pseudo-something-or-other, but I'm not going to type in the whole name because I can only imagine the google searches I'd show up in.

And what is it about this stuff that requires such strict moderating? Kids (his words not mine) use it to make some kind of illegal dr*g! Of course I entered my information into the pharmacy log, but I stood there shaking my head over the whole sad and scary situation. Everyone in line was shocked but the man behind me said they require similar identification when buying, of all things, spray paint cans - and for the same reasons.

I expressed surprise that this issue hasn't been on the news - or in parenting magazines - but the clerk said the new regulations have only been in affect about a month. I would think once cold-and-flu season hits (outside this house anyway) there will be more reports and public attention.

And attention is needed to be paid, not just to the new requirements, but certainly to the reasons behind the increased supervision. Because what on earth has this world come to when we need to monitor the sales of houshold products and children's medication because of what they might be turned into? And worse, what has this world come to when our youth feel a need to do such a thing in the first place?

Questions for another post, and probably another blog. I know this is not my usual kind of topic, but I thought I would post about it if only to bring the situation to your attention, and perhaps to your prayers as well.