Illinois Meth Precursor Control Pilot Authority
Administering Methamphetamine Control Strategies in Southern Illinois
800.851.4720 Ext. 8140
What's New
The IMPCPA has developed this site to educate the public regarding meth precursor purchase trends and small batch meth lab "cooking" practices. Pharmacies are already required to record the purchase of products containing pseudoephedrine. In 2009, the Illinois state legislature created a regional authority to develop an automated tracking system that targets individuals who attempt to circumvent methamphetamine precursor laws. Originally, the counties of WILLIAMSON, JACKSON, UNION, SALINE, FRANKLIN, and JOHNSON were selected during the development phase of the program and since then it has expanded to cover most of Southern Illinois. If successful, the IMPCPA could expand the program throughout Illinois. The system is easily networked to other "TEMIS" based operations being considered in several states. It is important to note that the system tracks the abuse patterns not the legitimate customer.
Why Was the Authority Created?
Illinois is one of the many states impacted by small batch methamphetamine labs. The labs provide abusers with an inexpensive, high quality central nervous system stimulant that is extremely addictive and devastating to almost all of the community. The small batch lab requires little knowledge of chemistry and no sophisticated laboratory equipment. Using common household materials such as solvents and drain cleaners — small batch labs can produce grams to an ounce of methamphetamine in less than an hour. One material is common to all small batch labs: PSEUDOEPHREDRINE (PSE). This chemical is a legitimate bronchial dilator used in many types of cold medications. "Cooks," the term used to describe the person or persons operating the small batch lab, require at least 1,000 units of the 30 mg dosage to make one ounce of methamphetamine. Legislation to control inordinate amounts of PSE purchases has been very successful in reducing the number of labs reported from 2000 to 2005.
Unfortunately, lab reports are increasing for 2009. One of the primary reasons for the increase is "smurfing." Smurfing is a form of mass shopping for medications that contain PSE by four to six people at multiple pharmacies throughout an area. The individuals buy the maximum legal amount of PSE and then combine their purchases to "cook" at a small batch lab. Individual pharmacies record their purchases, but the tracking of purchases from multiple pharmacies is time consuming and inefficient as required by law.
The Solution
Recognizing that some form of automated system was needed to tie pseudoephedrine purchasing records together, a United States Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing grant was acquired by the Williamson County, Illinois Sheriff's Department to develop a regional program as a pilot project for potential statewide use. At the same time, legislation was passed to create the Williamson County Psuedoephedrine Pilot Project Authority, providing legal responsibilities and authority to operate such a project. Pharmacies and police agencies outside the six county area are invited to participate in the project with agreement by the governing board. The project is intended to be community based with input from local law enforcement as well as pharmacists.
The system is initially intended for law enforcement personnel. As the project continues, pharmacists will also be querying the system and information relevant to meth manufacturing trends will be available.
Major Concerns Selecting a Tracking System
- Recognizing many pharmacies operate with minimal profit margins, the cost to pharmacies was top priority.
- Overall costs to the consumer and pharmacists had to be considered.
- The system had to be as convenient to the consumer and pharmacist as possible.
- The system should not collect information on the legitimate purchaser.
- The system should be easily altered for operational purposes.
- The system must be easily expandable.
- They system must be easily interconnected to similar systems.
With these criteria, eight different vendors' systems were evaluated and all had varied merit.
Reasons the TEMIS Was Selected
- Organized with grant funding and user license was provided at no cost.
- The system could and has been converted to Southern Illinois' needs.
- Tracks specific purchase patterns ensuring consumer privacy.
- Several states considering TEMIS-based systems that can interconnect with Illinois.
This unique project is the result of law enforcement, pharmacists and community institutions working together in the fight to reduce small batch meth labs.
The Southern Illinois Methamphetamine Precursor Control Certification: Pharmacies
John A. Logan College is offering online classes to prepare pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with specific knowledge and understanding of behind-the-counter OTC medications, the laws regulating methamphetamine precursors, and procedures to report targeted package disbursements. Successful completion of the course satisfies the retailer certification required by the Illinois Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act. Online courses will be offered beginning the Spring 2010 semester.
Southern Illinois Methamphetamine Precursor Control Certification: Law Enforcement
John A. Logan College is offering hands-on training to support law enforcement in their fight against small batch labs. The course will provide an understanding as to how the data is collected and data search strategies to quickly and efficiently navigate the database. Basic web browsing and PC instruction will be included as needed.
The Authority Wants Your Feedback. Your comments and suggestions are encouraged because we are continually improving our database. Additionally, we are collecting success and strategy reports in order to evaluate our system.