As the Carrboro Board of Aldermen moves forward, it should craft legislation that would allow for future pharmacies to construct drive-thrus for their pharmaceutical services.
The prohibition on a wide use of drive-thrus in Carrboro is an admirable policy. It demonstrates a well-placed value on both the future walkability of the town and protection of the environment.
However, there is a certain amount of practicality removed when these drive-thrus are not allowed. While this is entirely acceptable when it causes a healthy individual to park and walk into a fast food restaurant, it is too high of a cost when it is levied on a sick or older individual that is need of medicine from a pharmacy.
As the town grows, it will draw the construction of more pharmacies. This must be taken in conjunction with the fact that the 2010 Census showed the population of individuals in the 49-69 age range experienced some of the largest growth since the 2000 Census. Therefore, the future need for increased accessibility to pharmaceuticals, especially for the old and physically disabled, is all but undeniable.
The true environmental impact of outlawing drive-thrus is also debatable.
An Environmental Protection Agency report states that the effect of prohibiting drive-thrus is minimal and cities should instead look to reduce the time delivery trucks spend idling. Therefore, though additional emissions or fuel consumption should be avoided, those added by a pharmacy’s drive-thru will likely be negligible.
When the town’s staff comes back to the Aldermen with an amendment to the current policy, they must recognize this future need. There are many times to value walkability and environmental protections, but sometimes they must come secondary to medical accessibility.
