It's scary how elusive this one is. Unless it's really extreme abuse or recklessness, precisely how to proceed is anything but clear.

A lot of people will take pills for whatever before they go to work, for instance. It seems simple enough to just declare that if you take any kind of painkillers or anything else that may impair you, you can't drive. Problem is, quite often that means you can't get to work. See how long you keep your job...I'm sure your boss will be very amused by your calling in to explain just why it is you can't make it in. 'Just work without the pills' is what some people will say, which usually demonstrates they've never been in that situation before. If you're trying to keep pain or some other issue under control, you're generally unable to function well enough for your employer to want you around without the pills, too.

Really, it's kind of like you're under duress in that situation. Same goes with sleep. Some people have been convicted of 'drowsy' driving, but what if you work a 24 hour shift? No chance you may be a bit tired on your way home, is there? How about if you punch the clock at 3 AM? Odds are you're tired on your way in if your neighbors woke you up half a dozen times during the night because they don't get to bed until you're leaving. If you were just going out to pick up a rental movie or something, that's one thing. But getting to work is hardly a discretionary trip, and in most places, a bus or taxi is unavailable when you need one to get you there or back, and sometimes there just isn't one at all in your area!

Why shouldn't people be held responsible. If you take meds that makes you unable to drive than don't. Just because it's presription why does that mean you are not responsible. If I go to a party and have one drink I know I can drive if I have ten then I don't drive. So if I take a sleeping pill shouldn't I know not to drive. Just because they are legal doesn't mean I don't have any responsibility. Drinking is legal.

7/25/10, It seems to me you have to keep certain things to yourself when it comes to this. Discuss with your physician the pros & cons of doing anything while on some meds. Many employers have a lame-duck policy of requiring their personnel to disclose any drugs they're taking; lots of luck. So long as your meds do not affect your functions, trust me, the boss need not know. You can't have everyone trying to micromanage everything you do.

Also, your average employer, barring the obvious, is not entitled to breach doctor/patient confidentialiy. p.weiters@yahoo.com.

If there is a warning label then no only should be operating a vehicle on any amount of the drug.

Get a ride if you need to be taking a drug that could impair your ability to not kill other people.

Any form of impairment should preclude a person from driving.

The problem isn't when someone dies because they were not wearing a helmet or a seat belt. The problem is when they are crippled or brain damaged to the point where they can not take care of themselvesor require lifetime medical care. This places a burden on society to take care of these individuals, since not insurance will cover all of the costs involved with this type of care. Invariably the person winds up on some type of government assistance. For this reason, I find seat belt laws and helmet laws reasonable requirement for the privilege of driving. I say this as someone who was in an accident where my seat belt did far more harm than good. Despite this, I still support seat belt laws because this was a rare case where a seat belt was a detriment. In the overwhelming number of cases, a seat belt helps to prevent serious injury.

I agree with you. I do agree that you should always have your children in either a car seat or a seat belt but i dont think that once your 18 you should have to wear one. Growing up, i think the law was you were only required to wear one until your 16, but i'm not sure.

Thank you for your common sense response Wlockridge! Each day, I see more and more of my freedoms and liberties being taken away under the disguise of someone else thinking they know more than I do about doing the right thing, taking care of myself, and being responsible. There will always be harm to innocent people when we make bad decisions! Knowing the difference between right and wrong, and being able to accept responsibility for the wrong I do, is called maturity. I try to live by the following: Do No Harm...Make Things Better...Respect Others...Be Fair...Be Loving. Everything we do in life is a CHOICE with the ability to discern between right and wrong! The truth lies within.....

I agree HuneeBee, I just thanked him by clicking on his name and sending a private message as well

I believe that your whole artical..response to was spot on! I'm 61 and on pain management, can't drive so hire people to take me where I have to go. Why, cause there isn't a transite or bus, cabs can cost as much as I have in my meager funds, and most of all, fixed income is just never enoff. I watch the news and see the carnage. I'm glad I was never forced to make a judgement call as officers are required to do. I served in the military and between that and occupational hazerds (logger, miner) have seen my choices in life unfold in a very dire way. I'm not sorry for the life I've led, just remorseful of some of the choices I made. Thank you for helping others see your perspective on what an officer of law has going throu his/her head when makeing that all so critical judgement call. We have enoff laws governing us from ourselves, we can benifit from your veiw as to the "black and white" choices we are left with.

As long as people don't expect public funds to help them when they are critically injured due to their "freedom" from seatbelts, helmets, etc.

Same as hiking up a mountain in a snow storm and expecting a rescue when stuck.

Hey huneebee there is NO respect for others, that is why we live as we do today!!!!!!!

wlockridge (First Posting)

I could not agree with you more about your posting, especially how more and more restrictive laws are little by little eating away at our freedoms. I also agree that many of these laws are more about lining the pockets of local, country, and state governments then justice.

I reside in Florida, which has no state tax. They make up for it by passing laws and encouraging law enforcement, to arrest as many people as possible and get them into the system, to squeeze ever nickel out of them as possible. I like to call it "Prosecution for Profit", where they use the laws as a Business to generate revenue.

Also, if the number of accidents and incidents involving alcohol or illegal drugs and driving are down, then why aren't car insurance rates dropping? Simply put, it's all about the insurance companies, and local, county, and state governments lining their pockets as the expense of the American Citizens Freedoms, etc.

Wake up America, before you Legislatures enact all your freedoms away. Yes we need "Just Laws" and balance. We also need to bring sanity back into our laws and enforcement of them, etc.

I do believe this America right, or did we just become like North Korea?

You know, I don't see a quest for more laws in this article. We already have "driving while intoxicated" on the books, this just says they need an appropriate test to measure the possible impairment of someone taking prescription meds. Did I miss something?

Yes nikkinala,

What you missed besides that we don't need more laws on the books, is application of those laws in a sane way. Arresting and locking everyone up doesn't have to be the answer for everything here in America, which BTW incarcerates a higher percentage of people per population than any nation on Earth.

There are such things as forgiveness, and something being an "Accident" as opposed to let's blame someone. Yes we need laws to protect against drinking too much and getting behind the wheel, or using illegal drugs. But prosecuting people for prescription drugs is going too far, especially if there is no warning against their effects.

I see many more idiots on the roads and interstates doing 70mph tailgating, or texting, or talking on the phone that are a concern to me, than people weaving because of alcohol or drugs, etc.

Do you know why it's easier to go after someone for drunk driving or driving under the influence of illegal drugs, etc? Because most of those arrests are done at the wee hours of the morning, when it's easy prey. To pull over and find idiots tailgating, texting, or talking on the phone doing 70 on an interstate during the day is work, and may I add would cause a "Politically Incorrect" Outcry.

It's easy to pull someone over after 12am, for any trumped up reason (Usually no witnesses), and ask, "Have you been drinking?" Then a few sobriety tests, and off to jail. The state makes money, the cops and district attorney are all heroes, etc.

You start prosecution Old Ladies for their heart medicine, I think that is going way too far. Again this is America not a police state.

I didn't read it that way. I read that the cops want a fair, measureable way to detect impairment and get drivers off the street that are dangerous. I agree that people taking OTC or prescribed medication that do not affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle should not be punished.

IMO, any drivers who engage in avoidable distractions (i.e. cell phones, reading, appllying make-up), drive impaired or recklessly should face consequences. However, I don't buy the conspiracy theory that cops target people driving after midnight because they are easy targets. I would wager that there is simply a higher percentage of drunk or otherwise impaired drivers on the road at those hours.

To me, it doesn't make a difference the reason for the impairment or distraction, whether it be illegal or prescribed medicine. If someone is impaired to the point of making them dangerous to others, they don't have a right to be on the road and I want the cops to "target" them.

Sorry for your loss, what a terrible thing to live through! I have never received a prescription that doesn't warn of potential hazards of using the medication and driving. I doubt that most of these accidents are from people using the medication legitmently, but from the new prescription drug abuse we are seeing in America.

The problem with prescription drugs is that the same dose can have significantly different effects on different people, or even on the same person as time goes by. As someone who takes prescription drugs I can tell you that the dose I take would knock out most people for hours while you could not even tell I was taking anything due to tolerance that I have built up. In addition, some people have a natural tolerance to certain medications. Also, the sedative effect of pain medications can be greatly reduced based on the level of pain the person is in; there is nothing like pain to keep you awake.

To say that anyone taking any amount of any prescription drug that could impair driving is completely unreasonable. And this does not even take into account that the same drug often lists seemingly contradictory possible side effects because of the different effects drugs have on different people. I have seen individual drugs that list both drowsiness and insomnia as potential side effects. With the number of drugs that carry a warning that they could impair driving, and the number of people taking some type of prescription drug, you would be talking about leaving a huge percentage of people (I would guess 10-15% of current drivers) unable to legally drive. Considering the state of public transportation in most places in this county, that many people unable to drive would create huge economic hardships and likely cripple our economy. The solution is to have police officers better trained to recognize the effects of prescription medications and develop a field sobriety test that would be appropriate for these situations. I have no issue with a blood test to confirm an officer's suspicion and the results of a modified field sobriety test. The reason I say modified field sobriety test is that many of the people taking prescription medication, as well as many who are taking no medication, can not pass the currently used tests under any circumstances. Due to various physical limitations, many people lack the ability to pass the current test. Because of back, knee, and other problems, many people can not walk one foot in front of the other or pass the balance tests. Other people have problems with their eyes (particularly some with mild forms of autism) that invalidate the test that looks for jerking/twitching in eye movement.

I do not deny that drugged driving is a serious issue, but extreme solutions are not the answer. It will take considerable research to develop a new field sobriety test as well as significant resources to properly train law enforcement personnel. This is not an easy problem to solve, but measured and well thought out solutions are the answer, not knee jerk reactions.

Exactly "JS", What I take in a day would kill most people. Ive built a tolerance requiring several increases over 12 years. Sorry about you loss Marcus but the situation you mentioned is the exception not the norm. Doctors sometimes miss signs of junkie when prescribing. And a small minority of people are just plain stupid.

The truth is many people have addictive personalities and when they get their hands on painkillers they don't know when to stop. Painkillers do not take away all the pain they only make it bearable to live with. But some will keep on going to the point of stupor. Many people have started addiction problems even when in the Hospital.

I am truly sorry for your loss; I do know the devastation that comes with young people dying needlessly. My 25 yr old brother died (with a pregnant wife) because he didn't have insurance; so the hospital didn't fully look into his problem. Turns out a simple blood test could have saved his life.

The driver that killed your son abused the prescription drugs he was given and it's not realistic to assume that everyone does the same. I take exception to your comment, specifically because I'm taking these meds due to an irresponsible driver; and I do show discretion while taking my meds. If I don't feel well, I don't leave the house. Also, if they change my medication, I don't drive for 5-7 days until my body has adjusted. Because I take it so seriously, I lost time with my father when his health failed just as they were switching my meds. He passed away soon after. Had I been irresponsible, I would have driven there and spent two weeks with him instead of one. It was hell for me to not be able to go! So please stop assuming if we're taking prescription medication we suddenly abandon all decency and responsibility!

I think some form of sobriety test needs to be applied to ANY driver who is not driving appropriately. But don't forget, we did not choose to have our illness anymore than you chose the devastating loss of a child. You need to keep in mind that everyone with prescription drugs does not abuse them; anymore than everyone that picks up a bottle of alcohol has to have more than one drink.

Markus, I also want to say that, like the others who posted here, I am sorry for your loss. However, like some of the others here, I also take high doses of some rather potent prescription drugs, including painkillers, anti-depressants, and others that might make me drowsy. Like many of the others who posted, I am very responsible with my medications...such as not driving for several days until I'm sure how a new med will affect me. I have often cancelled appointments, even with doctors, if I feel that I am overly tired and may become drowsy because of my meds. Heck, I won't even drive if I feel my pain levels are high enough to prevent me from being entirely aware and completely in control of my vehicle. The key here, folks, is RESPONSIBILITY! Yes, penalize the folks for overdosing on their meds and driving or for driving when their meds are making them obviously drowsy. But don't pull me over for a routine stop like a tail light out and then run a blood test to see if I'm driving while on prescription medications!

People like you make my blood boil. All you do is blame the doctors. 99.9% of these problems wouldn't exist if the patients weren't idiots and could remember what drug they're taking. There is NO way your doctor would have written the prescription without asking you what other drugs you're on. Even doctors who are truly idiots still ask this question every single time without fail. They teach us this in the first week of medical school. The fact that he didn't know what you were on tells me YOU had no clue what you were on when he asked you. And even if you're right about the doctor not asking you what other drugs you were taking, what kind of IDIOT would not let EVERYBODY involved in their healthcare (let alone someone writing them a freakin' prescription) know that they're taking a drug prescribed by their CARDIOLOGIST? You sir are the perfect example of the idiots we deal with everyday.

Excellent point! I will also add that every Dr you see needs to know about ALL drugs that you take, even the illegal ones. If you don't tell the Dr, you're withholding important information that could affect your blood pressure, birth control and all kinds of stuff.

@kidsdoctor Calm down! Betty's making a good point about using one pharmacy so that there's another "check".

It's often the Dr's staff that asks the questions and write the drugs in the chart. If the Dr doesn't look at what his staff wrote, or is UNFAMILIAR with a drug, it's possible that s/he could make a mistake. No-one is perfect!

kidsdoctor

Nice try but just NOT true. MY doctor put me on a med and then three months later he wrote me ANOTHER prescription that was NOT to be taken with the first prescription that he wrote. The next day I thought I was having some kind of fit and was thinking of suicide. I called the pharmacist and he told me to stop taking both meds and call my doctor right away. MY file was right before him and I still paid for his stupidity. I changed doctors that same day.

Things slip on a regular basis, especially when people are only getting a few brief minutes with their physician. I have a cousin whose doctor prescribed some drug to her that he should have known would negate her birth control pills. Naturally, since he wasn't aware or had neglected to double check when making the prescription, my cousin wasn't told about this. I have no idea if the pharmacy data she should have been given when having the prescription filled made adequate mention of this or not. Needless to say, due to the resulting pregnancy, the doctor was sued and a substantial judgement was levied against him.

Doctor's are not to blame. Part of the patient's bill of rights includes the following:

A patient is responsible for providing to the health care provider, to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his or her health.

It is not a doctor's job to track down every doctor you see to see what meds you are currently taking. You need to take responsibility for your own health. If you can't keep track of the meds you are taking then make a list and keep it on you at all times. If you do not disclose to your doctor what meds you are on, it is your fault if something should happen. Every docotor you see has an intake form you fill out. Part of that form is to list all current meds. If the neurologist had no idea you were on meds from a cardiologist than that is your fault for not disclosing that information. Just saying i take meds is not enough. You should have known the type of drug and dose and told your neurologist. It is not the neurologists job to find out that info.

@ nursek: I agree with you completely. I knew I was seeing a number of doctors after a serious illness (GBS) and pulled the labels off my prescriptions. I attached them to one sheet of paper and copied it. It was the easiest way to give them all the information with dosages and knowledge of who else was involved.

If you don't take part in your own care, don't blame the doctor's guess work. What else are they supposed to go on? They are not clairvoyant.

This isn't your parent's Dr. Welby, M.D. or Dr. Kildare. Today, we ALL are responsible for our own drugs we take. No one expects us to be pharmacists, but like nursek said, part of the Patients Bill of Rights ( we ALL got them in the recent past or SHOULD have from our health-care providers.) is OUR responsibility to know WHAT we are taking, how much of it we take a day (dosage), WHY we are taking it, WHAT Dr. perscribed it, etc. We should give the intake nurse a COMPLETE recitation of our current meds. NOT only the 1st. time we see the Dr., but at EVERY visit. He/She SHOULD ask if any meds. have changed-added, deleted, dosage changed EACH time you see the Dr. So, be prepared to make sure the question is asked & I also orally inform my Dr. at each visit, before we get around to the purpose for the visit, that I am no longer taking/have started taking/have changed dosage taking any drug just so I am sure the Dr. saw what the intake nurse has written.

BTW, It is a good idea to carry in your billfold a complete list of all the meds. you take just in case you should be in an accident. And my final suggestion is to read those "patient info. sheets" almost all pharmacies give now days to their patients; do it before you start taking the drug/drugs.

Kidsdoctor, I fill out the form with all of my medications and dose amounts when I got to the office (same as every visit). Then I see a nurse who passes me on to a PA and finally I see the doctor. Where the paperwork goes from the time I enter the office to where it goes by the time I see the doctor, I have no idea.

To call me an idiot when you have no idea of what transpired, is both rude and uninformed.

I completely agree. I never thought of driving as a right. It's a privilege when you're still able to get around using public transportation (or even having a friend or family member help if you live somewhere rural). It's always surprised me by how easy it is to get a driver's license in this country. I did missionary work overseas for a few years, and I was just simply amazed by how hard it was to get a driver's license anywhere in the world but here.

I agree about increasing the testing of those who want to drive. When I moved to Brasil, one city in particular, the people to me seem to drive like maniacs. I was taken back that there were fewer accidents and made the comment that in the US they would all kill each other. However, when I went to take my test for the privilege of driving here, not only did I have to take an intensive driving and written test, but several psychological tests. The psychological tests we to determine my levels of attention, frustration and a few other conditions. If this were done in the US about a third of the drivers would either fail, or at least re condition their way of driving.

Alex 352296
You need to check on a few things!! First of all driving anywhere in the United States IS A PRIVILEGE!!! That is how they suspend your driver's license for dui or for too many speeding tickets or for driving without insurance!!! You cannot suspend a person's rights for Christ's sake!!! We are not long before the government is going actually be able to do it, with @!$%# like this going on, someday you will have to give a DNA sample along with blood tests and a sworn deposition before you can even start your car!! It will be nice to know that if your back has some spasms on Saturday night from digging in your flower bed, you take a muscle relaxer and go to bed, the following Wednesday you are in a fender bender a the swift justice league shows up and takes your blood and urine and they find traces of metabolites for the muscle relaxer in your system and BAM, your on your way to the big house!! Good stuff! Makes perfect sense, totally American, it is what our founding fathers intended for this great nation, to be a nation of prisons and internment camps!!
While you are at it getting even with the drivers you don't like you could start on other things you don't like, maybe you don't like people with curly hair, you could start a campaign to eradicate people with curly hair who upset you when you look at them!! Or maybe you could just suspend their right's for a bit!!

Then you probably shouldn't operate a moving vehicle. Truthfully, that label should be a bit more specific because you are already supposed to be cautious by default.

Dan, it's too broad a brush to paint everyone who takes these types of medications as "probably shouldn't operate a moving vehicle." Truth is, studies have shown that patients on long term opiate therapy for chronic pain are no more likely to be a danger behind the wheel than anyone else. Those on long term treatment are not throwing down a handful of pills every few minutes as glorified by Hollywood characters like House, but take medications that maintain a constant level of medication in the body. Another person posted that their daily dosage of medication would kill someone who was not adjusted to that particular dosage. I understand that statement and the same can be said for me. No one can tell that I take the amount of medications that I do; however, if I am somwhere that results in me missing a dose and I end up with break through pain as a result, then that is when I become a significant danger behind the wheel.

Real danger will result from people who illegally acquire these medications or those that abuse them.

Turn off your tv that has Fox news playing continously. Turn off Rush Limbaugh. You are so stupid there are no words that would adequately describe your lack of thinking on this subject. Yeah, regulations are the enemy. Just let people do what they want, especially you. When tragedy happens in your family you will realize how the laws should have been enforced more effectively.

In the meantime, just rant and rave about a Nazi state. Most likely you have no concept of what you are describing.

I must have hit a nerve. You know I'm right.

Of course you are right... right wing. People like you remind me of my teenage son who thinks he knows everything. Know one can tell him that he isn't right. One can hope that as you mature your thinking will become more logical and more humane.

Jeesh Markus, you're not judgmental are you? Glad to see you're a tolerant lib. <end sarcasm>

Markus ..... it's like your son takes after you.(thinks he know everything)

brian of gadsden

ARE you saying you pass a kidney stone every month or two but take NOTHING for pain? You are either a superman or an idiot. My husband has passed two and had treatment for a third because it was so painful. If you went through that kind of pain and did not get help then that is just stupid because my husband's doctor said that kind of pain is NOT good for the heart.

Brian - you obviously are not familiar with the laws surrounding the prescription of opiods. Any doctor writing a significant number of prescriptions for these types of drugs is subject to routine FDA audits. It has gotten to the point where many doctors will not write the prescriptions and instead refer you to a pain management specialist. With Class II drugs (the stronger opiods are in this category), the regulations in most states require that you be seen by the doctor on the same day that the prescription is written. If a review of the doctors records show that this did not happen the doctor can have his license suspended or revoked. No respectable doctor is going to take this kind of risk. Are there a few doctors out there that over-prescribe opiates, yes I'm sure there are. But these are few and far between and they are eventually caught and prosecuted. I would seriously doubt that anyone has been going to a doctor for years getting prescriptions for opiods and has never seen he doctor. I would like to see proof of your claim of "doctors in every town making millions of dollars every year writing for narcotics and nothing else". There are pain management specialists that write a lot of prescriptions for narcotics, but they are carefully monitored by the FDA and write prescriptions for many other medications as well.

And if you are going through kidney stones with no pain meds, you are either superman or an idiot. I have had kidney stones and know what it feels like. Going through that level of pain with out pain medication would do serious damage to your heart, not to mention delay your recovery. It is well proven that excessive pain puts too much stress on the body and can do permanent damage and will impair the bodies ability to heal itself.

Brian -- I have kidney stones also and, yes, I take meds when the pain becomes unbearable. I don't think that my doctor is becoming a millionaire off of the $6 prescriptions he gives me for generic Percocet. As JS in SD said above, you're a fool for putting yourself through the agony of kidney stones without any pain relief. You're doing more harm than good.

go to the website hulu and search for vanguard : oxycontin express to see how pain management is handled - florida is an extreme case but it gos on in every state

brian of gadsden- I'll make this simple- you sir, are a @!$%#ing liar!!! no way in the world did you pass stones and not take a narcotic analgesic..... now, if you are one of those people who suffer from what amounts to the passing of "sand / sludge" (i.e. not a typical large, jagged stone but microscopic sand-like granules)- your suggestion that you don't need analgesics may hold water- but in that case you wouldn't suffer like a typical kidney stone pt.!!! you however, suggest you just man-up and take the pain and that everyone else is just a whimp.......

I agree with the other folks here, you're just a moron!

Opiates are the religion of the masses.

Totally agree Norman, that's why adding new laws are complete bull$hit. If you have a legitimate prescription from a medical professional you should be fine. But, there are many "progressives" who want to enact more laws under the guise of safety, but it's really about making money for the states. Sad.

At the least there should be a field test, walk the line, etc. Charged for bloodshot eyes? No. But I can understand how driving slower than the flow of traffic would be a possible signal of impairment - going slower because of distrust in judgement. Even prescribed meds taken as directed can impair a driver.

As a long time chronic pain patient, I know what you mean about waking up during the night. If you ask your doctor about low-dosage tricyclic anti-depressants it might be of use to you. They allow chronic pain patients to sleep through the night. It does NOT knock you out or leave you feeling tired in the morning. It does, however, allow you to stay asleep once you have fallen asleep. You'll find that you start the day with lower pain levels, because the body does its tissue repair when you're in your dream state; which you never reach when you have chronic pain because it continually wakes you up during the night. Having a good nights rest also helps your coping skills, making the next day a little easier. Good luck!

Norman-K: so, are you driving slower to the point of impeding traffic flow (i.e. creating a sort of rolling roadblock that someone coming up from behind may not recognize?? also- you talk about being sleep deprived; that too is very dangerous and has been scientifically studied in recent years- and proven to be unsafe!! I'm sorry, I think you may be kidding yourself into believing you're not being unsafe on the road.

Rusty716 had a good idea for you to explore. Also, as a chronic pain patient and someone who suffers from narcolepsy, I do understand your frustration and the problems you're up against. I would suggest you broach the subject with your pain specialist and ask about Provigil or Nuvigil. These drugs will keep you awake but are not amphetamine-like stimulants, and are not controlled (i.e. requiring a triplicate prescription).

Good Luck to you and Regards,

John

There are many OTC meds that have this warning, too. Personally, I can't even take a full dose of NyQuil if I know I'll be driving in the morning. I don't understand how anyone can not notice when they are impared.

Zackly.....and they should be subjected to the same rules as someone drinking if the drug impairs driving, they should read about the side effects, no gray area, just simple common sense.... which seems to lack in society these days.

Every drug will impair some people's ability to drive. That's the point of the article--it's virtually impossible to establish standards.

So drive and kill someone, right Pat. Oh, you can't hear because you have your head - well you know.

Same here. I mentioned in a previous post that if I know I'll be driving in the morning, I can't even take a full dose of NyQuil. A better nights sleep from a full dose is not worth a life taken from driving while impaired.

KM.

Spot on! Yeah, like my post I would rather have someone on Anti-depressants and driving than them feeling like they could care less about living.

It's funny my doctor told me I have no worries about my meds. "If legally prescribed there is nothing to worry about." I have been telling him for years that yes indeed, you can and will be charged.

That darn Benedryl kicks me into zombie land, I only take it at night.

Trust me, the docs will not back you if the prescribed it and there is a warning on the bottle.

Right on!

I second the motion - and would add that the war on drugs has destroyed an important part of American social life for no good reason. MADD and others have taken knee jerk reaction to such an extreme - for what? It's no longer about true drunk driving - it is about being afraid of police after even one or two drinks. So millions stay home while the real problem drunk drivers collect multiple DUI's and never seem to be effectively taken off the road by the police. It's easier to bust innocent, safe drivers at 2 a.m. police road blocks.

Just about 40,000 die each year on the highways despite years of very aggressive prosecution of ANYONE in the wreck who may have been drinking, smoking or snorting - regardless of fault. I have killed no one, have NO police record of any kind and do not appreciate a population wide witch hunt on social drinkers that only makes authoritarians and bible beaters feel better. Prohibition was tried and repealed. Just another attempt for some to force their beliefs on everyone - while they take "legal" prescription drugs, kill others, but are not prosecuted?

What to do about the auto death rate? How about a war on bad roads and unsafe cars? Think again! Fat chance the gov't would blame their own roads or their protected corporations.

frst msg got messed up

just wait until your in intractable pain 24/7

youll take anything and everything you can get your hands on to try and fight the pain.

and when i lose medical coverage because of obama i only have the final option left open to me.

so those meds are stored away in a special place.

Take all the meds you need to ease your pain. Just don't get behind the wheel if they cause you to be too impaired to safely drive.

The way the insurance industry is forcing Dr's to rush through patients could be alot of the problem there. I've been seeing the same PCP for 21 years and just in the past couple of months signs have gone up in the patient rooms "warning" that the Doc only has (at most) 15 minutes per patient, if there is more than one issue or a complex issue, to schedule accordingly with the office.

I think sticking to only one pharmacy is a good idea, they enter everything on computer and the red flags come up if there could be a potential error. I believe the Pharmacist is likely more current with all the new drugs and constantly changing drug info too.

It sounds like you might of had some other issues with your husband and meds though, I'm glad you were there with him.