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Learn more about the dangers of smurfing here

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Wisconsin takes on smurfing in anti-meth campaign

July 31, 2018, Jeff Alexander,WBAY.com

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Smurfing is happening in Wisconsin, and the state and businesses are trying to crack down on it.

Smurfing has nothing to do with blue cartoon characters. It’s the term used for buying over-the-counter cold and allergy pills for the purpose of making meth. These are the medicines that contain pseudoephedrine.

States and federal laws have made it more difficult to purchase these meds. Meth manufacturers responded by sending their “Smurfs” into stores to buy the key ingredient.

The state has teamed up with retailers and pharmacists to launch an anti-smurfing campaign. It’s part of the state’s Know Meth program.

“The entire state and nation have heard about the opioid epidemic and how it’s destroying lives, stressing human services budgets and straining the foster care system–and frankly overwhelming our criminal justice system,” says Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel. “But what many people don’t realize is that here in northern Wisconsin and western Wisconsin, it’s typically meth that’s taking the largest toll on our communities.

Posters will go up at businesses and pharmacies that sell OTC medications with pseudoephedrine. The posters will “point out the consequences of buying medicine that will be used for meth production,” according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Read more here.