STORE MAKES DRUG READILY AVAILABLE

Why does the Cumberland Farms across from the high school have a large
display of "bronchodilator" at the front counter and much smaller displays
of Tylenol, Motrin, etc., off in a corner?

Only the intentionally naive would believe that this was for the purpose of
treating illness. Ephedrine is a substance of abuse. When abused, it causes
delirium or psychosis and has been the cause of death.

There is a growing national awareness of the threat of ephedrine and the
need to control its use. While ephedrine is still a legal, over-the-counter
drug, the "convenience" of easily available "bronchodilator" ephedrine is a
sham!

In making an informal survey of convenience stores, I found that the
Capital Farms - a former Cumberland Farms store - did not sell ephedrine.
The Tedeschi convenience store across from Cumberland Farms did not sell
it. The Store-24 clerk sold no "bronchodilators." She said, "We wouldn't do
that!" with the same tone as one might say "We wouldn't put poison in our
coffee." In short, the wrongfulness of such sales was perfectly clear to
her.

I found this drug only at the Cumberland Farms. The sale of this drug did
not seem to reflect a market niche but a peculiar decision of Cumberland
Farms. As I visited various Cumberland Farms, I listened to the shame of
clerks who realized what was being sold but felt they had no control. They
explained that they were required to ID to see that buyers were over 18. A
quick look at all the smoking children outside the Cumberland Farms
illustrates just how helpful this kind of policy is.

These stores are pandering to drug abuse. Though legal, I believe that this
practice is no more acceptable than having a prominent display of
"sniffing" glue or spray paint in a convenience store.

Cumberland Farms should discontinue this practice, apologize to the
community and offer a sizable donation to an anti-drug abuse program.

JAMES J. ADAMS, MD
Concord