Rep. Lamberth Applauds Law Enforcement On Continued Success In Reducing Meth Labs
5.19.16– The Chattanoogan
Rep. William Lamberth (R-Cottontown) applauded Tennessee law enforcement for its work in reducing domestic methamphetamine production in the state. According to a report released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), meth labs in Tennessee have been reduced by 69 percent since 2012 – the same year the state adopted the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) – a system that blocks the illegal sale of pseudoephedrine (PSE) at the point of sale, in real-time, and across state lines.
PSE is an ingredient in popular cold and allergy medications that at times is used to make methamphetamine via dangerous meth labs.
“Just a few years ago, Tennessee held the unflattering distinction of leading the nation in meth labs,” said Rep. Lamberth. “Today, due in large part to the work of law enforcement at all levels, our state is on a three-year downward trend that has reduced meth labs nearly 70% since 2012. In fact, we witnessed a 42 percent reduction in meth labs in the last year alone.” Meth labs are highly volatile and can pose danger to individuals exposed to them.
Since 2012, the Tennessee legislature has passed several pieces of legislation addressing the diversion of PSE in an effort to reduce the number of illegal meth labs produced in Tennessee including adopting NPLEx and banning the sale of PSE to known drug felons. The NPLEx system, adopted by 33 states across the country, aids law enforcement professionals by blocking unlawful purchases of medicine containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) at the pharmacy counter.
Read more here.