Pseudoephedrine Legislation Decreases Methamphetamine Laboratory-Related Burns

Abstract

Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is one of the main ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine (MA); approximately 700 to 1000 PSE pills are necessary to "cook" a batch of MA. Steps have been taken to decrease the availability of ingredients needed to concoct MA. On May 21, 2005, the state of Iowa enacted a strict law, making PSE a Schedule V Controlled substance, restricting PSE availability, and sales. Using the same 6-month time frames in 2004 and 2005, we retrospectively compared epidemiological data on burn patients in the year before the new PSE law and again immediately after the law was enacted. Data collected between May 21 to December 31, 2004 and 2005 included sex, age, length of stay, body surface area burn, urine drug toxicity status, insurance status, and cost of hospital stay. Reports on statewide MA laboratory incidents were provided by the Office of Drug Control Policy. In 2004, Iowa ranked second in the nation for MA lab incidents, seizing an average of 120 labs per month. In 2006, Iowa ranked eighth in the nation for MA lab incidents, when only 20 labs per month were seized, an 83% decreased from the previous year. By limiting the availability of PSE, Iowa saw a marked decrease in MA laboratory-related incidents, leading to a drastic decrease in MA related burns statewide.

Pharmaceutical sales of pseudoephedrine: the impact of electronic tracking systems on methamphetamine crime incidents

“…The finding that production of methamphetamine was suppressed, while possession was not, is congruent with studies that have not examined ETS but other forms of recording PSE sales . Freeman & Talbert , for example, compared and contrasted recording systems in Oklahoma in 2004 and Iowa in 2005.…”

Methamphetamine Production Is Hazardous to Your Health

“…Several states and communities have noted marked decreases in clandestine METH production since the implementation of local laws and CMEA. Burke et al 24 reported both overall decrease in METH positive burn patients and a decrease in burns sustained while attempting to produce METH. Several Michigan communities have recorded major decreases in illegal METH production.…”

The impact of gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) legal restrictions on patterns of use: Results from an International Survey

“…In 2006, only 20 labs per month were seized, an 83% decrease from the previous year. (Burke et al, 2008)…”