PUNISHING US FOR STUFFY NOSES

Only in Salem could so many injure their arms patting themselves on the
back. I am referring to your article, "Cold-drug bill a prescription for
headway" (Political Notebook, July 22).

Now we will need to see a doctor for a stuffy nose. How many of us are able
to take time off from work, get an appointment in a timely fashion, pay a
co-pay or, if not insured, an office visit cost, all for a stuffy nose?

Here's a helpful idea. Keep the pills behind the counter, as they are now,
and limit the amount sold to one [package] per customer. Stiffen the
penalties for making and selling methamphetamines to serious prison time.

It puzzles me why our legislators decide to harm the average citizen and
not attack the real problem: the drug-selling criminals. Do not punish the
voting public for stuffy noses.

DEBORAH SODERQUIST

Newberg