UNION, MO ( KPLR ) -
You now need a doctor's prescription to buy certain cold and allergy medicines in Union, Missouri. City leaders know the move will cause problems, but say they have no choice. The new law went into effect Tuesday.
The mayor of Union doesn't mind hearing the complaints over a new law aimed at curbing and epidemic of methamphetamine use in Franklin County.
That's because Mike Livengood knows some voters will be upset over now needing a prescription to purchase certain cold medicine containing pseduoephedrine, a key ingredient used to make meth.
Washington, Mo passed a similar law earlier this year.
"It will be an inconvenience for some people I'm not going to deny that," said the mayor.
Livengood feels he has no choice. The meth problem he says is so bad something needs to be done and his police chief agrees.
"This we believe will have a major impact on the manufacturing of methamphetamine within our jurisdictions," said Norman Brune, Union's police chief.
He feels the dangers of meth outweigh the concerns some customers might have.
"The people, the families the neighbors that are affected by these labs endure great hardships," said Brune.
Ashley Pippin agrees. He once pill shopped for medicine he would make into meth.
"It used to be so easy when you could just go and by the pills and everything," said Pippen.
Now he believes the new law will make a big difference.
"I think it's a great thing and I think they should do it everywhere," he said.
The mayor and police chief agree. The hope state lawmakers will look at Union and pass a law to require a prescription statewide.
"If you can eliminate one less meth lab in the community you know we're out to protect the citizens of this community and that's a great thing in my eyes," said Livengood.
Even if that means some sick patients will now wait longer to get the medicine they want.
Oregon is the only state to pass a law requiring a prescription for certain cold medicine. Union city leaders say meth use has dropped dramatically in Oregon since their law passed.
The mayor of Union doesn't mind hearing the complaints over a new law aimed at curbing and epidemic of methamphetamine use in Franklin County.
That's because Mike Livengood knows some voters will be upset over now needing a prescription to purchase certain cold medicine containing pseduoephedrine, a key ingredient used to make meth.
Washington, Mo passed a similar law earlier this year.
"It will be an inconvenience for some people I'm not going to deny that," said the mayor.
Livengood feels he has no choice. The meth problem he says is so bad something needs to be done and his police chief agrees.
"This we believe will have a major impact on the manufacturing of methamphetamine within our jurisdictions," said Norman Brune, Union's police chief.
He feels the dangers of meth outweigh the concerns some customers might have.
"The people, the families the neighbors that are affected by these labs endure great hardships," said Brune.
Ashley Pippin agrees. He once pill shopped for medicine he would make into meth.
"It used to be so easy when you could just go and by the pills and everything," said Pippen.
Now he believes the new law will make a big difference.
"I think it's a great thing and I think they should do it everywhere," he said.
The mayor and police chief agree. The hope state lawmakers will look at Union and pass a law to require a prescription statewide.
"If you can eliminate one less meth lab in the community you know we're out to protect the citizens of this community and that's a great thing in my eyes," said Livengood.
Even if that means some sick patients will now wait longer to get the medicine they want.
Oregon is the only state to pass a law requiring a prescription for certain cold medicine. Union city leaders say meth use has dropped dramatically in Oregon since their law passed.
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