By DALE BRAKHAGE / Community Columnist

Neil Damron started working in a pharmacy when he was 14. He fell in love with the profession of helping people with their medicines.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Neil said.

He must love it. He commutes from Smith Lake near Cullman every day. His customers must love him, too, because Neil’s Pharmacy has been operating 34 years.

In Neil’s Pharmacy, across from Indian Springs School, you find the newest medicines and old-fashioned service. You find Neil filling prescriptions and pharmacist Darren Long and pharmacy technician Greg Groom working beside him. They are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 6 p.m. and on Saturday until 4 p.m.

This is a fun place. Two large flat screen TVs are always tuned to ESPN. All day long, friends and customers visit and have prescriptions filled.

They also come for expert healthcare advice. A large selection of non-prescription drugs and health products fill the front shelves.

If Neil does not have what you need, he can get it for you.

“Neil is the most accommodating pharmacist I know,” said Jim Wyatt as he waits for his prescription. Jim has used Neil’s Pharmacy for 15 years. He recounts Neil’s great service. Neil has even dropped prescriptions by Jim’s house after hours.

For 20 years, Neil coached baseball. Then his interests changed to hunting. Serious hunting. Soon he will travel to Africa for his third big game expedition. He also plans to hunt Kodiak bears in Alaska.

The danger doesn’t bother him. He prepares for danger in advance.

“People don’t realize that pharmacy is a rewarding profession,” Neil explains, ”but it is also a dangerous profession.” The illegal drug culture in our society makes it so.

In 1986, a robber entered Neil’s Pharmacy and held a knife to a customer’s throat. Neil shot the robber. The men here are heavily armed to protect themselves and their customers.

There are many pharmacies. However, if you want to be more than just a prescription number, visit Neil, Darren and Greg at Neil’s Pharmacy. Call them at 988-5023. Stop by. Here you can have good friends in the pharmacy business.

 

Dale Brakhage writes a weekly column about Indian Springs and its residents. You can reach him at dale@dalebrakhage.com.