Intelligence

The Counter Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 is a law that was put in place to control the sale of over-the-counter medications. The medications the law is concerned with are those that contain ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine. These three chemicals are commonly used illicitly to make meth.

The Counter Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 requires stores that sell medication to track the identity of everyone who purchases any medications with the concerned chemicals and limit the purchase of those medications. The law limits the daily sale of products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine to 3.6 g per day, and 9 g per 30 day period. [1] In order to enforce these limits, retailers are required to check the identity of every purchaser, maintain a log, keep the concerned medications in a locked area away from customers reach, and report suspicious activity.

Prior to the Counter Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, criminals could walk into a drug store and purchase large amounts of cold medicine without breaking any laws. Then they would take the cold medicine and separate the chemicals needed to produce methamphetamine for sale. The use and sale of meth became more widespread in the early 2000's, making the need for this law. The use of meth is only one of the threats this situation poses to society. The sale and distribution can result in increased gang activity and violence and the actual cooking process is extremely dangerous, sometimes resulting in explosions.

Many drugs containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, like a lot of drugs listed in the Controlled Substances Act "have a useful and legitimate medical purpose and are necessary to maintain the health and general welfare of the American people." [2] However, their misuse has created a large problem in society in the form of the manufacture of meth that a separate law was need to control their sale without outlawing the chemicals completely.

1.CMEA (Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005)." Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division. n.d. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/meth/cma2005.htm (accessed September 23, 2016).

2. "Title 21 United States Code (USC) Controlles Substances Act." Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division. n.d. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/21cfr/21usc/801.htm (accessed September 23, 2016).

Work Cited:

"Controlled Substance Act." U.S. Food and Drug Administration. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sep 2016. http://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Legislation/ucm148726.htm