Rep. Rita Applauds Success of Illinois’ NPLEx System
BLUE ISLAND Illinois State Representative Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) today released the latest, positive results achieved by state’s real-time, stop-sale pseudoephedrine (PSE) tracking system, known as the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx).
NPLEx— a vital law enforcement tool employed by 30 states across the country—tracks and automatically blocks unlawful PSE purchases at the point of sale and hinders the ability of criminals to make meth. Police officers and narcotics agents often use NPLEx by putting suspects on a “watch list” that alerts them—via email—when a particular suspect attempts to make a suspicious purchase. In some cases arrests have even been made in pharmacy parking lots. The technology is also extraordinarily helpful for prosecutors who utilize the purchase data to convict meth cooks.
Between January and September 2014, NPLEx prevented more than 1.6 million boxes of PSE from being sold across the country. That’s more than 3 million grams potentially off the street. In Illinois, the proven system has blocked more than 40,000 boxes and nearly 100,000 grams from being sold over the same period.
“All Illinoisans should be proud of the progress our men and women in law enforcement have made in the fight against PSE diversion into meth production,” Rep. Rita said. “The NPLEx system is working exactly as it should. Law-abiding citizens are still able to purchase these medicines for relief from cold and allergy symptoms, while unauthorized sales are being stopped and meth criminals put out of business.”
Rep. Rita, a member of the House Appropriations Committee on Public Safety, requested the latest NPLEX data from the Illinois State Police. Since NPLEx’s introduction to Illinois in 2009, the system has been administered by the State Police.
“NPLEx is a perfect example of a public-private partnership that works toward a common goal,” Rep. Rita continued. “Law enforcement is working hand-in-hand with retailers to stop meth crime at its source. During next year’s legislative session, it is my hope that we can work to improve the NPLEx system and our state’s meth-offender block list so that even more criminals will be caught. There is no doubt in my mind that we can continue to make progress in the battle against meth without burdening honest citizens.”