Pseudoephedrine Sales, Meth Lab Incidents in WV Drop Significantly
CHARLESTON, W.Va., June 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridget Lambert, president of the West Virginia Retailers Association, released the following statement today highlighting recent NPLEx (National Precursor Log Exchange) data obtained by the Kanawha County Substance Abuse Task Force, which indicate a 35% percent reduction in pseudoephedrine sales throughout the state.
"Today we have quantifiable proof that these laws, including the real-time pseudoephedrine blocking system, are indeed working," Lambert said. "The data show that even places like Kanawha County, where meth crime is traditionally the highest in the state, pseudoephedrine sales are down 68.5 percent.
"The NPLEx system, which went online January 1, 2013, has had time to prove its value in monitoring and blocking pseudoephedrine sales.
"As reported in a May 22nd article in the Charleston Gazette, meth lab busts statewide are down 27 percent January through mid-April, compared to the same period last year.
"Overall, these developments are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement professionals and vigilance by the retail community. These results are a validation of the efforts of lawmakers who fought for the adoption of the NPLEx system and measures to strengthen our anti-meth laws."
"There is no doubt that we still have a lot of work left to do in the fight against meth production in our state. Meth continues to take a heavy toll on too many of our families and communities. However, this news shows that the right approach to the meth problem lies in advancing sound policy solutions that crack down on meth criminals while protecting law-abiding consumers' access to the medicines of their choice without imposing higher healthcare costs and unnecessary time off of work.
"There are a number of additional steps lawmakers can take to make our current meth laws even more effective. At the top of the list would be a system that prohibits meth offenders from being able to purchase pseudoephedrine-based medicines. The meth offender registries established in Alabama, Kentucky, and Oklahoma have resulted in dramatic declines in meth labs.
"We will continue to work with law enforcement and policymakers to strengthen our anti-meth laws to address the state's meth problems without restricting law abiding consumer access to medicines that work for them."
About the West Virginia Retailers Association
The West Virginia Retailers Association is the voice of the retail industry in West Virginia. The association was founded in 1942 by merchants concerned with advancing and safeguarding the well-being of the retail industry. The association is recognized by merchants, legislators, state officials and other trade groups as the spokesman for the retailing industry in West Virginia.
SOURCE West Virginia Retailers Association
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