Limitation of Pseudoephedrine Precursors

The initiative has undertaken the proactive identification and interdiction of precursor and essential chemicals as a major priority in order to reduce the distribution of supplies that support the manufacture of methamphetamine. As a result, the predominate share of those funds allocated to the law enforcement component has been to fund precursor investigation detectives. This approach has proven effective in investigations to inhibit the production of methamphetamine by limiting access to selective chemicals and identifying persons of interest where their purchases fit a profile of methamphetamine production.

In 2005, the initiative, working in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health Pharmacy Board, implemented a newly enacted law, ESSB #6478 which became effective July 1, 2004. This collaborative legislation with State Legislators, pharmaceutical manufacturers and retailers, makes it increasingly difficult to divert precursor, over the counter drugs into illicit laboratories. Successes have already been realized with six major in-state ephedrine/pseudo-ephedrine wholesalers surrendering their DEA registration numbers and Board of Pharmacy licenses. These companies had distributed over 9,500,000 dosage units during a 250 day period in 2003 to retail outlets in Washington State. During the FFY 2005 grant period, law enforcement and the Board of Pharmacy will utilize this aggressive legislation to further impact the domestic manufacture of methamphetamine.

Funding allocated for law enforcement focused on the hiring and equipping of precursor detectives in selected counties to take a proactive approach to the sales and distribution of precursor and other chemicals essential to the manufacture of methamphetamine. Duties of these detectives include contacting, educating, and developing partnerships with retailers and wholesalers who sell legal over-the-counter materials that serve as precursor and essential chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine. The detectives work within local narcotics unites or multi-agency narcotics task forces that have lab-certified personnel assigned to them. Each detective is supervised by the agency that signs a memorandum of understanding with the initiative.

Intelligence Gathering

Through its collaborations, the initiative leverages intelligence gathering efforts of the DEA, HIDTA Northwest, the Washington State Patrol and local law enforcement through narcotics talk forces. Through these interfaces, intelligence information is exchanged as necessary to support the anti-methamphetamine efforts.

Production

As a result of increased intelligence, enforcement, public information, professional training, community mobilization, treatment intervention and environmental response, the initiative witnessed interruption of methamphetamine distribution and the abatement of rising levels of production.

The enhancement of the State Department of Ecology resources help to mitigate the negative and sometimes life threatening management of the hazardous waste associated with the clean up of methamphetamine lab sites.

Successes

Impact on community norms and public policies