JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri State Representative Stan Cox today highlighted the recent success achieved by Missouri’s real-time pseudoephedrine (PSE) blocking system, known as the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx). Data obtained by Rep. Cox and Missouri State Senator David Sater show that during 2013, NPLEx blocked the sale of more than 32,280 boxes of PSE-based medicines and stopped more than 96,490 grams from potentially ending up in criminal hands.
Last month, Rep. Cox introduced additional anti-meth legislation (House Bill 1787) that would make Missouri’s NPLEx system even more effective. HB 1787 would implement reasonable purchasing limits on the amount of PSE an individual can buy while also establishing a meth offender registry to block previously convicted meth criminals from obtaining any products containing PSE. The bill will be considered by the state legislature later this month.
“Last year’s block numbers prove that NPLEx is working extremely well and making sure pseudoephedrine-based medicines aren’t ending up in the wrong hands,” Rep. Cox said. “NPLEx is a powerful system that provides law enforcement with an invaluable intelligence-gathering tool, helping them locate and prosecute meth criminals. The success of NPLEx emphasizes the importance of finding innovative solutions to fight illegal drugs in Missouri. My recently proposed anti-meth legislation would work off of the existing success of NPLEx by further limiting the amount of pseudoephedrine an individual can purchase in addition to creating a meth offender registry to prevent meth offenders from being able to obtain meth precursors. These are important measures that will curb meth abuse by targeting criminals without burdening law-abiding Missourians.”
“As elected officials, it is our duty to do what we can to stop illegal drug abuse; however we must also be mindful of the rights of honest consumers. I urge my colleagues to support HB 1787 in order to fight illegal meth abuse while still protecting access to these important medicines for families that rely on them.”
