Nah, regional drug enforcement. The internet reveals that they are both ingredients used for cooking meth.

And now I wonder how much attention Googling "meth recipe" is worth. This page discusses it from a law enforcement perspective (or so):

http://www.aristatek.com/newsletter/0511November/TechSpeak.a...

The government pipes a key ingredient for making meth directly into my home: water.

The real casualty of the meth war was Sudafed. It is the only thing that helps my nasal congestion, and I feel like a hardened criminal every time I beg the pharmacist for my 10 day supply. Randall Munroe was right in wishing he had a way to turn meth into cold medicine.

In my experience the act of purchasing sudafed has simplified over the last few years and all I have to do anymore is show ID (as opposed to the pharmacist filling out a big log book and counter signing).

That aside, Flonase is my drug of choice for that stuff now and in a world without one or the other I know which I'll choose.

It's more than just showing an ID. [See here](http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/u...) item 17.

I haven't had to fill out a log book in years and years. Multiple pharmacies, multiple states.

That's one thing I hated about Australia/NZ. Real Pseudoephedrine requires a prescription. I was surprised in Singapore when I could buy it with just showing my ID like in the US.

Perhaps those products are marketed primarily to meth labs. As drain cleaners, neither pure sulfuric acid nor pure sodium hydroxide is a good choice. There are more effective products that are less hazardous to both humans and plumbing.[1]

[1] http://www.consumerreports.org/content/dam/cro/news_articles...

> Perhaps those products are marketed primarily to meth labs. As drain cleaners, neither pure sulfuric acid nor pure sodium hydroxide is a good choice.

Pure sodium hydroxide is also used in soap-making, which is both fun and legal. I really hope it doesn't become any more difficult than it is to get ahold of it.

I don't think people should do meth, but I do wonder if the total social costs of making it illegal (crime, meth labs near and in residences, incarceration &c.) outweigh the costs of allowing it to be legal.

Is the stuff sold as drain cleaner not suitable for making soap?

My local big box hardware store sells 100% lye drain cleaner for $4 a pound (it's 100% sodium hydroxide as crystals or powder). I haven't tried buying any, but I doubt a couple pounds would be an issue.

> Is the stuff sold as drain cleaner not suitable for making soap?

The 100% lye stuff is, but as the former poster indicated it isn't really the most effective drain cleaner — and there have been moves to make it illegal, because of its use in drug production.

> I haven't tried buying any, but I doubt a couple pounds would be an issue.

I have to give my phone number whenever I buy it. Galling: I'm a free citizen of a free republic, and should be able to purchase chemicals without being tracked.

Sodium hydroxide is a lot cheaper than the various premixed stuff. And you can also make soap with it.