The United States faces a massive shortage of family doctor's. This is especially true in rural areas across the country. To limit doctor visits small amounts of codeine combined with other over the counter medications should be legal in the United States as in England, Europe, and other developed nations.
Codeine or 3-methylmorphine (a naturally occurring methylated morphine) is an opiate used for its analgesic, antitussive, antidiarrheal, antihypertensive, anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative and hypnotic properties. It is also used to suppress premature labor contractions, myocardial infarction, and has many other potential and indicated uses.
This country needs balance. Hydrocodone has been restricted to a schedule 2 controlled substance. Legalized Codeine containing products now.