LUTHERVILLE, Md., April 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) – a nonprofit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement, healthcare professionals, state regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the prevention and investigation of diversion of medicines for illegal purposes – praised recent results from the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) during the first quarter of this calendar year. From January 1, 2016, to March 31, 2016, NPLEx successfully blocked the illegal sale of 395,394 boxes of medicine containing pseudoephedrine (PSE), which is sometimes diverted by criminals to make meth. As a result, NPLEx kept 1,018,259 grams of PSE out of the hands of potential criminals.
The NPLEx system, adopted by 32 states across the country, aids law enforcement professionals by blocking unlawful purchase of medicine containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) at the pharmacy counter. Additionally, NPLEx provides law enforcement officers and narcotics agents valuable information such as "watch lists" that notify them via email when a meth suspect attempts to purchase PSE. This information can then be subpoenaed by prosecutors as they build cases and put drug criminals behind bars.
Over 44,000 retailers nationwide report PSE sales to NPLEx, and some states have also supplemented NPLEx by using the technology to ban the sale of any PSE products to those previously convicted of a meth crime. In Alabama and Oklahoma, similar legislation was passed in 2012 and 2013, respectively, and these states experienced significant declines in meth lab seizures – 77 percent decline in Alabama and 88 percent in Oklahoma.(http://www.appriss.com/actionable/NPLEx/1Q2016Stats.htm)
"As we close out the first quarter of 2016, NPLEx continues to gain momentum and the numbers prove it's working," said NADDI Executive Director Charles Cichon. "States are taking an active role and showing real leadership with their commitment to curb criminal meth activity. Legislators, law enforcement and retailers across the country are working to keep pseudoephedrine out of the hands of criminals without punishing law-abiding citizens."
About NADDI and Public Safety
Established in 1989, the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, Inc. (NADDI) is a unique membership organization whose members are responsible for investigating and prosecuting pharmaceutical drug diversion. The organization has proven to be a valuable asset to law enforcement, the pharmaceutical industry and health regulatory personnel. NADDI's objective is simple: to improve the members' ability to investigate, and prosecute, pharmaceutical drug diversion. You can learn about NADDI here: www.NADDI.org