Saturday, October 30, 2004, 9:25:39 PM, Veronica Caley wrote: VC> Actually, at least through the fifties, paregoric, a narcotic VC> concoction was available over the counter. It was used for VC> colicky babies and menstrual cramps and I am sure addicts were VC> using it. Cough syrup with codeine was available in the US until VC> about twenty years ago, then about ten years or so ago with VC> signature of purchaser. Now it's a prescription drug. Here we have 3 categories; prescription-only, sold only with pharmacist's approval, and over-the-counter. (I think some codeine preparations are still available over the counter, I'm not sure.) If I want acetone I have to ask the pharmacist. Also tylenol and aspirin (and ibuprofen?) are now sold only in very small amounts (as an anti-suicide measure). I now get mine on prescription -- so, in effect, free -- to avoid the expense and nuisance of that. VC> In Canada, aspirin and Tylenol with codeine was available over the counter VC> until relatively recently, as was cough syrup with codeine. Here too -- here I think they took the codeine out of that cough medicine. VC> I wonder how many people consume illegal drugs nowadays because they VC> actually do have some health problem that might not be diagnosed or they VC> don't have the money for a doctor or who knows what other reason. or because they kill the pain better?! (cannabis spray will be available here on prescription in about 2 years). -- Judy Evans, Cardiff, UK mailto:judithevans001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html