STATEHOUSE (Jan. 27, 2016) –Today, the House Committee on Public Health unanimously passed a bill authored by State Rep. David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis) that would expand law enforcement’s ability to curb the prevalence of methamphetamine labs around the state.
Pseudoephedrine (PSE), an ingredient in certain cold medications, is a key precursor for manufacturing meth. Currently, it must be kept behind pharmacy counters and dispensed according to daily, monthly and yearly individual purchase limits. House Bill (HB) 1157 would build on these efforts by keeping PSE accessible to consumers, but make it illegal for all individuals convicted of a drug-related felony to possess these medications without a prescription.
“Our families and communities have been plagued by the meth epidemic that has run rampant throughout Indiana,” Frizzell said. “This bill makes it harder for meth precursors to get into the wrong hands while not inconveniencing law-abiding Hoosiers.”
Indiana has led the nation in the number of meth lab busts for each of the last three years.
The bill also helps prevent the sale of PSE to drug-related felons. The National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) would be instructed to issue stop-sale alerts in real time when drug-related felons attempt to purchase PSE without a prescription.
HB 1157 will now head to House of Representatives for further consideration.
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Rep. Frizzell represents a portion of Marion and Johnson counties.
