Methamphetamine: Preventing the Retail Diversion of Pseudoephedrine

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Pseudoephedrine

Methamphetamine: Preventing the Retail Diversion of Pseudoephedrine

Background

Methamphetamine (meth) is a highly addictive, synthetically produced central nervous system stimulant with effects similar to cocaine. Meth is the most prevalent synthetic drug manufactured in the United States and is easily produced in clandestine laboratories using common store-bought materials.

The ease of manufacturing meth and its highly addictive potential has caused the use of the drug to increase throughout the nation. The meth problem is located throughout almost every metropolitan area in the United States. Lab seizures in the United States have increased from 3,300 in 1997 to nearly 14,000 seizures in 2002.

Violence associated with meth trafficking is increasing. Law enforcement reports indicate that meth use is linked to child neglect, child and spousal abuse, sexual abuse, homicide, property crimes, and mail and check fraud. The manufacturing process of meth also poses a danger to society and the environment. For example, clandestine meth labs, during CY2002 caused 194 fires, 117 explosions, and 22 deaths. Chemicals from laboratory dump sites have been linked to the deaths of livestock, contaminated streams, and large areas of dead trees and vegetation. Federal taxpayers have also been affected with cleanup costs escalating from $2 million in 1995 to $23.8 million in 2002.

Methamphetamine

Street Names

Meth	Speed
Ice	Chalk
Crystal	Crank
Fire	Ice

Methods of Abuse

Smoked	Snorted
Injected	Orally Ingested

Physical Effects Associated with Methamphetamine Use

Addiction

Death

Brain Damage

High Blood Pressure

Seizures

Skin Ulcers

Chronic Fatigue

Extreme Anorexia

Cardiac Arrest

Bad Teeth

(Due to High Risk Behavior)

Hepatitis

AIDS

Herpes

DEA’s Goal

To combat the production and abuse of methamphetamine by preventing the diversion of over-the-counter pseudoephedrine products and other common household products that are utilized in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.

Common Methods of Pseudoephedrine Diversion

Smurfing – multiple purchases at one location

Shelf-Sweeping – theft of all shelf stock

Shoplifting

Theft from wholesalers

Common Ingredients Used in the Illicit Manufacture of Methamphetamine

Pseudoephedrine Products

Camping Fuel

Iodine

Matches

Coffee Filters

Rock Salt

Battery Acid

Pool Acid

Preventing Diversion

Involves the coordination and cooperation of law enforcement officials and retailers

Retail Prevention

Enforce Retail Thresholds

Set Cash Register "Blocks"

Post Signage in Break Rooms

Store Pseudoephedrine Stock Behind Counter

Perform Background Checks on Employees

Establish Education Programs for Employees

Limit Access to Excess Stocks

Voluntary Initiatives

Establish a requirement whereby customers wishing to exceed a preset sale limit on pseudoephedrine products are required to sign a log book. The log book would require the purchaser to provide their name, address, and drivers license number. The preset sales limit cannot exceed the retail threshold.

Establish a working network with other local retailers and local law enforcement to quickly respond to reports of suspicious activity.

Establish and monitor a security surveillance system to monitor pseudoephedrine stock. Security cameras and mirrors are examples of devices which will deter theft and diversion.

Retail Thresholds

The Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act (MAPA) establishes thresholds for pseudoephedrine drug products at 9 gram single transactions with the package size not to exceed 3 grams.

Retail thresholds for 9 gram single transactions are as follows:

20 mg. Pseudoephedrine HCL = 92 tablets

60 mg. Pseudoephedrine HCL = 184 tablets

30 mg. Pseudoephedrine HCL = 367 tablets

Retail thresholds for 3 gram package size are as follows:

120 mg. Pseudoephedrine HCL = 31 tablets

60 mg. Pseudoephedrine HCL = 62 tablets

30 mg. Pseudoephedrine HCL = 123 tablets

For more information:
Please contact your nearest DEA office

Visit one of our Internet Web Sites:
www.DEAdiversion.usdoj.gov
or
www.DEA.gov

Presented as a public service by:
Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Diversion Control
Washington, D.C. 20537

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