For the last five years, over the counter cold medicines containing the ingredient pseudoephedrine have been kept behind pharmacy counters. This regulation was passed in an effort to prevent the manufacturing of methamphetamine, of which pseudoephedrine is a necessary ingredient. A new system recently unveiled seeks to improve the way in which purchases of the ingredient are tracked.
According to the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, a new online system allows citizens to report possible meth related crimes to the state police. Yet another system, provided by the Tennessee Meth Task Force is designed specifically to assist law enforcement and the pharmacies who sell pseudoephedrine.
What was once tracked on a paper system which had to be physically collected from pharmacies by law enforcement can now be electronically entered in the software system by the pharmacy staff. From there, law enforcement can easily search for people who have bought the product from multiple pharmacies and find those who have a history of meth related crimes.
In addition to searching for local offenders, Indiana police can share information with other law enforcement agencies across state lines. While the system won’t necessarily stop new meth labs, it could lead to more of them getting discovered and a subsequent rise in statistics.
Some officials would like to see cold medications containing pseudoephedrine reclassified as a prescription medication. This was the case until the 1970s when it was made available over the counter. As it stands, despite efforts to restrict the sale, people who are dead-set on getting the medication will drug store hop, going from one to the next until they have enough to make meth.
Because methamphetamine is so addictive and can have a dramatic impact on a person’s life and their family, law enforcement is serious about cutting down on the amount of the substance made in Indiana. As a matter of fact, last year, police in Indiana busted more meth labs than ever before.
The penalties for making meth are extremely serious. But the penalties for simply possessing the drug can be life-changing as well. Even if you are caught with less than 3 grams of the drug, you could be facing up to 3 years in prison and a Class D felony conviction on your record.
Being charged with meth possession is a serious matter than should be handled with the utmost care. If you are facing charges like this, a defense attorney can help you determine what steps to take to ensure you get the best results possible on your day in court.
Please contact us to discuss any Indiana drug or criminal charges. We can work together to decide the best course of action to defend you in court.