NADDI Releases Second Quarter 2017 Statistics for NPLEx System

LUTHERVILLE, Md., Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 – applauded recent results from the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) through the second quarter of 2017. From January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2017, NPLEx successfully blocked the illegal sale of 93,027 boxes of medicine containing pseudoephedrine (PSE), which can be diverted by criminals to make meth. As a result, NPLEx kept 245,097 grams of PSE out of the hands of potential criminals.

The NPLEx system, adopted by 33 states across the country, helps retailers enforce existing law blocking unlawful purchases of medicine containing PSE at the pharmacy counter. Further, law enforcement officers and narcotics agents are provided with valuable information such as "watch lists" that notify them via email when a suspect attempts to purchase PSE. This information can then be used by prosecutors as they build cases and put drug criminals behind bars.

Across the country, over 44,000 retailers report PSE sales to NPLEx, and some states have gone further by using NPLEx to enforce a ban on the sale of PSE products to individuals previously convicted of a meth crime. In Alabama, Oklahoma and Tennessee, similar legislation was passed in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and these states have also experienced significant declines in meth lab seizures. As of 2016, data showed declines of 77 percent in Alabama, 88 percent in Oklahoma and 69 percent in Tennessee.

"After another successful quarter, the numbers continue to back up the effectiveness of NPLEx in keeping PSE out of the hands of criminals," said NADDI Executive Director Charles Cichon. "It has allowed us to maintain access to PSE for honest, law-abiding citizens who rely on these medicines to fight their cold and allergy symptoms, while, at the same time, we're able to stop those who seek to use PSE to produce meth. This tool, and the balanced approach it provides, can be credited with the declining numbers of meth lab seizures we're seeing year after year."

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

SOURCE National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators

Related Links

http://www.NADDI.org