What do you think about selling baking soda behind the counter to stop drug makers?

  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A St. Louis legislator wants to require that baking soda be sold behind the pharmacy counter, as part of an effort aimed at a base ingredient in crack cocaine.

  The proposal by Democratic Representative Talibdin El-Amin is modeled after a state law that requires some cold medicines to be placed behind the pharmacy counter because they contain ingredients used to make meth.

  The anti-meth law requires customers to show a photo I-D and sign a book specifying their name, address and how much they purchased.

  El-Amin's bill would implement similar requirements for the purchase of sodium bicarbonate, otherwise known as baking soda. The measure was filed last month and has yet to receive a hearing.

  Federal drug enforcement officers questioned whether adopting the restrictions for a commonly used product would work.

  (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

its a stupid idea why you use baking soda for things like keeping your refrigator and freezer smelling good and for cooking cookies and so on my gosh that just ridiculas.!!!!!!!!!

This is a joke, right? What comes next, flour or powdered sugar? Or maybe baking powder? Who is this looney toon anyway that came up with this ridiculous idea? I find it hard to believe that anyone would elect someone who is so lacking in common sense.

I think he is just trying to get headlines. This is one of the stupidist bills to be introduced as trying to curb the crack or drug problem. Next will we ban spoons, water, lighters, plastic baggies, etc. You use all these things too, why not move these behind the counter.

This is really a ridiculous idea!

How long can we continue to lock up items that we purchase from time to time, making it difficult on ourselves. People who make meth will continue to do so no matter what we do. They are very inventive. If we think that individuals that use this stuff don't know it is bad for them, we are kidding each other. How about a prison system like the one run by Sheriff in Arizona (tent city with no AC). From all I read, there aren't too many returnees out there.

This is another money wasting issue. I cannot believe that they think up the stupidest things up. There are much more important issues than baking soda. Put the users and dealers in jail and keep them there, so innocents like the rest of us can live without all the idiots ruuning the streets getting more people hooked. I know these people stay awake at night thinking what other stupid reasons can I think of to waste tax payer money. GROW UP!!!!!

How can any SANE person be for this? Remember, the KEY INGREDIENT for crack is.... (drum roll please)... COCAINE!!!! Seriously, this makes just about as much sense as the cold beer thing -- never mind you can buy a fifth of Jack and a 44 oz Big Gulp at the gas station....

Well, in the race to find out who has the dumbest legislators in the United States, St. Louis just jumped out in front.

Anything that increases our community's safety should be supported. It's no different than the cold medicine that is behind the counter to decrease meth production. By the way, that policy led to the successful arrest of those who are committing crimes!

The drug makers will buy the chemical, or just make it from salt, ammonia, and CO2- all commonly available chemicals.
This lawmaker is completely out of touch with reality. For him and the rest of the Power Elite, they just wave money and things pop into existance like magic. For the rest of us, if you want a cake, you have to bake one. If it were up to people like this, we'd all have to go to the government feeding trough for our tridaily nutrient suppliment. Whoever voted this guy into office should be ashamed of themselves.

If Representative Talibdin El-Amin wants to draw attention to the crack cocaine problem, (which is the only reason he created this bill) he needs to bring up legislation and hold discussions about CRACK COCAINE. Right now, the only thing he has accomplished is to have tens of thousands of registered voters discussing how much of a complete idiot he is. Well done, sir. Very well done.

Pretty soon the only "mark of the beast" any of us will be talking about will be called a "PRESCRIPTION" or "BY SIGNATURE ONLY."
WE the people are being punished and forced to suffer all across this great nation... for the addictive and ilegal actions of a few. This may sound radical, but my feelings are: When they live by the drugs, let them die by the drugs. It's a self-eliminating problem. Let them kill themselves, blow themselves up, shoot themselves over buys gone bad... We're sacrificing OUR freedoms for losers who will never be totally rehabilitated. We're throwing good money after bad.
And you can have my Baking Soda when you pry it from my dead, cold fist...

I think that this legislator needs to quit smoking crack...

I think water may be used for some of these drugs, so maybe we restrict access to water! Ah, just another wacko idea of the far-right to fight a problem that's just not as bad as the economic problems caused for the far-right. Just a smoke screen to keep us from seeing the real problems in this country. Another example of how far these right-wing politicians will go to distract us from their greed and corruption.

Since any ingredient could make anything why not ban everything. BTW, did you know that everyone who has eaten BREAD or has drunk WATER has died??? Perhaps those should be banned as well. This is a typical lib making a fuss over something he shouldnt get involved with.

That is the most stupid idea I have heard. Baking soda is also used to keep my fridge from stinking and bake a batch of cookies. If someone wants to buy it and use it to make crack, let 'em. Why should I have to be restricted when purchasing it.

There are many common, ordinary, everyday items that can be used to make drugs - and bombs. Get a grip. And trust me, things can get sillier. In Oregon, anything with pseudoephedrin requires a prescription, not just a signature at the pharmacy. Really great for someone with sinus issues but no insurance and who hasn't even got a doctor. For one prescription, I would have to find a doctor who's accepting new patients, make an appointment, miss work to go, pay an arm and a leg (and possibly my firstborn son) for an "initial visit" exam. I just wish I could find the "drug dealer" here who's selling the stuff bootlegged out of California.

What's next? Selling it in teaspoon sized blister packs?

I can almost see having to purchase sudafed from the drug counter. I am greatly inconvenienced by it and often wonder what the pharmacist thinks as I purchase a lot for my allergies as well as for my 3 children and my husband. Oh well. What is the limit before they start investgating you anyway? But c'mon, baking soda...they will just find something else to use...flour? Obviously I have no idea what it takes to make drugs.

i think this is ridiculous! I am already ticked about the sinus medicine!
Just like when we were young! We all suffer because of a bad few! One bad apple will spoil the whole bunch!!
I feel like we are being watched at everything anymore. Red lights, subdivisions,streets all have camera's watching you constantly!