CHPA Applauds South Dakota's Adoption of Real-Time, Stop-Sale Technology, An Effective Tool in the Fight Against Methamphetamine

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Consumer Healthcare Products Association

Mar 28, 2014, 01:49 ET

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) today applauded the South Dakota Legislature, Governor Dennis Daugaard, and Attorney General Marty Jackley for adopting Senate Bill 24, legislation that will implement a real-time, stop-sale pseudoephedrine-tracking system known as the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx). NPLEx is a proven tool in the fight against methamphetamine production that has blocked tens of thousands of illegal sales across the country. By adopting the system, South Dakota becomes the 30^th state to take advantage of NPLEx technology.

"Thousands of South Dakota consumers rely on pseudoephedrine-based cold and allergy medicines for relief from symptoms so they can get through busy days at work or school," said Scott Melville, president and CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. "Unfortunately, however, a small percentage of purchasers misuse those medicines for the illegal manufacture of meth. NPLEx provides retailers and law enforcement officials a powerful tool that allows them to gain the upper hand against meth criminals and stop crime at its source."

NPLEx delivers a secure, interconnected electronic logbook system that tracks and logs every pseudoephedrine sale in every store at the precise moment it is happening. When a purchase is made, the system advises retailers when to refuse a sale based on an individual's purchase record elsewhere in the state and is the only system that can block the illegal sale in real-time and across state lines. Both of South Dakota's neighbors, North Dakota and Nebraska, already utilize NPLEx technology.

"We want to commend Governor Daugaard, Attorney General Jackley, and the South Dakota Legislature for coming together around a proven solution in the battle against methamphetamine production and abuse," said Melville. "By adopting the blocking system, South Dakota becomes the 30^th state to take advantage of NPLEx technology. NPLEx is a proven tool in the fight against methamphetamine production that has blocked tens of thousands of illegal sales across the country."

www.chpa.org

SOURCE Consumer Healthcare Products Association