Ohio House Bill 334, an anti-methamphetamine bill, was recently signed into law by Ohio Gov. John Kasich. This bill will provide retailers an ability to block unlawful transactions of cold and allergy medicines that contain pseudoephedrine (PSE) and that exceed the daily or monthly limits established by the 2005 Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act.

The importance of this bill is that pseudoephedrine is an essential ingredient in the making of methamphetamine.

In addition to alerting retailers of unlawful attempts at purchasing PSE, law enforcement officials have access to data that may alert them to a person purchasing PSE in order to manufacture meth.

It is important to note the law will not prevent law-abiding consumers to have access to medicines they rely on for relief from cold and allergy symptoms. Ohio now is the 25th state to adopt such anti-methamphetamine legislation.

In Lawrence County during 2012 there were 18 people arrested and prosecuted for possessing chemicals and devices used for methamphetamine manufacturing.

If you suspect methamphetamine is being used or manufactured in your neighborhood, please contact the Lawrence Drug & Major Crimes Task Force hot-line at 740-534-5830.

The bill was authored by Southeastern Ohio State Representatives Terry Johnson (Portsmouth) and Danny Bupb (West Union).

The new law is a welcome addition to the efforts of law enforcement as we seek to curb the manufacturing and abuse of methamphetamine.

 

Brigham M. Anderson is the Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney.