OPINION

Letter: NPLEx system vital for fighting meth

Sen. David Sater, Cassville
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Recently, state and local officials came together to learn more about a system used in 31 states to fight the illegal purchase of allergy medicine containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) used by criminals to make meth. The system — the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) — is a vital tool for law enforcement officers to monitor and arrest criminals who are misusing medicines containing pseudoephedrine. The system blocks purchases of PSE at the point of sale when an individual reaches their limit allowed by law. By learning how to best utilize NPLEx, our law enforcement officers are in an even better position to stop meth production, helping to reduce the number of meth labs in Missouri. The continued success of NPLEx is proof that Missouri can combat the meth problem — and see great success doing so — without preventing law-abiding citizens from getting the medicine they need. We should resist calls to move toward a prescription requirement to obtain PSE. Law-abiding Missourians should not have to visit their doctor, pay a co-pay and get a prescription just because of the acts of a criminal minority. NPLEx has proven there are solutions to this problem that strikes the right balance between personal freedom and public safety.