Editorial: My Drug Problem (Anonymous Submission)

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ear when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad's field.

I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.


Loyd V. Allen, Jr., PhD, RPh
Editor-in-Chief

As you may know, USP's General Chapter <797> has been revised and will become official on June 1, 2008. USP is offering a series of webinars and workshops to educate compounding professionals on the newly revised standard so they can appropriately interpret and implement the standard (See http://www.usp.org/hottopics/generalChapter797.html?hlc) for full details on these programs.

The webinars will provide direct dialogue with two compounding experts and ample time to address questions related to the standard. The workshops will provide added interaction plus hands-on demonstrations related to environmental monitoring, contamination control, and aseptic testing.

Given the increased emphasis on patient safety, it's critical that healthcare practitioners and compounding facilities understand and implement best practices. Take advantage of this unique opportunity and plan to participate in one or more of these programs. Go to: http://www.usp.org/hottopics/generalChapter797.html?hlc

According to the Daily Advantage from PharmaLive, February 19, 2008, the FDA is proposing that drug companies do NOT have to promise to do adequate testing of the unapproved use of drugs discussed in articles that can be provided to doctors for off-label use.

IJPC supplies this list of providers of USP Chapter <797> products as a service to our readers. We strongly urge you to support the current advertisers and supporters (listed in bold) of IJPC.

USP <797> Resources
Need a resource to purchase equipment or supplies to help fulfill the requirements of USP <797>? Check the back issues of this Newsletter or contact Jeannie Couch, at jcouch@ijpc.com.