LANSING — An online tracking system has been effective in combating meth production in Michigan by enforcing limits on the amount of the drug’s main ingredient individuals can purchase, said Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, lead sponsor of the new law.

In the three months since e-tracking was launched in Michigan, the system has blocked the illegal sale of 42,955 grams of a key methamphetamine ingredient. This means the production of more than 21,000 grams of meth was prevented, with a street value of more than $2.1 million.

Methamphetamine, or meth, is an addictive, illegal drug that is commonly manufactured using ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which are common ingredients in cold medications.
Public Act 84 of 2011 requires retailers or pharmacies to consult the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx) before selling products containing pseudoephedrine to make sure buyers have not exceeded a set limit. NPLEx is a real-time electronic logging system provided at no cost to taxpayers or retailers and is used only by law enforcement to track sales of over-the-counter cold and allergy medications containing precursors to methamphetamine.

Pharmacies and retailers that have not yet registered for the system may do so at: www.NPLExsurvey.com.