The days of running to the local department store or pharmacy to pick up a bottle of Sudafed or Claritin-D may be numbered. Lawmakers are considering a law that would require a prescription for all allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine. This means that if you have a runny nose or seasonal allergies, in addition to the cost of medications you also have to pay for a visit to the doctor. The purpose of this move is to combat methamphetamine use and production in Oklahoma by limiting access to the ingredients. While based on logic and reasoning, the opposition is quick to point out the impractical aspect of imposing such a law on all public citizens while attempting to control Oklahomans who abuse the system. It imposes unnecessary expenses on non-methamphetamine users, especially during times of economic crisis. However, in order to gain control of Oklahoma's meth problem, lawmakers are proposing an anti-meth bill, which would require a prescription for allergy pills containing pseudoephedrine. Methamphetamine abuse is at epidemic levels across the nation and most prevalent in Oklahoma, which ranks among the highest of states in statistical categories (Oklahoma Drug Threat Assessment). Sometimes called White Crunch, Billy Whizz or White Cross, the drug of choice for many Oklahoma addicts is Crystal Meth, a mixture of methamphetamine and amphetamine. Methamphetamine violence, abuse, distribution, and the cost of cleanup have raised concerns about the safety of Oklahoma communities. The situation has become so serious that it requires intervention from both the federal and state governments. Several states, including Oklahoma, have taken steps to curb the meth trend by implementing practices to control access to meth ingredients. In 2005, Oklahoma led the nation in enforcing the “paper-based” approach, and because it would be nationwide, the strength of enforcement would be greater. Law enforcement and the state would have the necessary support without penalizing non-methamphetamine users. Otherwise, Oklahomans will travel elsewhere to buy ingredients and return to make and sell them. Works Cited Hoberock, Barbara. “Tulsa lawmaker's proposal aimed to curb methamphetamine.” Tulsa World October 2, 2009. Web. April 6, 2011.McNutt, Michael. Cold and allergy sufferers may be feeling the effects of Oklahoma's latest anti-meth law. NewsOK.com, March 5, 2011. Web. March 28, 2011. “Drug Threat Assessment in Oklahoma.” United States Department of Justice. Rep. n. 2002-S0387OK-001. National Drug Intelligence Center, January 1, 2006. Web. March 30, 2011. "Reimbursement Requirements | Emergency Management | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency. 27 January 2011. Web. 08 April. 2011.