Governor Crist Signs Legislation Hindering Meth Labs

~ Applauds Florida Sheriffs for 39-year low in state’s crime rate ~

FORT LAUDERDALE – While addressing the Florida Sheriffs Association in Fort Lauderdale, Governor Charlie Crist today signed legislation that makes it more difficult for individuals to buy over-the-counter medicines used to make methamphetamine. The law establishes a database that enables the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to monitor the sale of the medicines and block purchases that exceed the maximum legal amount. Currently, there is no effective and efficient way to track the sale of the products, enabling individuals to exceed the legal limits by buying the maximum amount at multiple pharmacies.

“Meth destroys lives, families and communities, and we must aggressively fight this dangerous drug,” said Governor Crist. “It not only endangers those who use it, but also innocent children and law enforcement officers who come in contact with the labs where it is made. This law will hinder those who seek to make this devastating drug, and therefore, make Florida safer for all.”

Methamphetamine is a powerful and highly addictive stimulant often created in dangerous home laboratories using chemicals such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are found in over-the-counter cold remedies. Since 2005, state law has required these products to be kept behind store counters, and limited sales to nine grams or three packages. In 2006, the federal Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act was implemented and became the dominant standard in Florida.

The law Governor Crist ceremonially signed today became effective July 1, 2010. It requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to have a database in operation by January 1, 2011. At that time, each pharmacy will be required to use a real-time electronic logbook that will include the buyer’s identification and information about the ephedrine or related compounds purchased.

Earlier this year, Governor Crist and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey announced Florida’s overall index crime rate reached a 39-year low, declining by 6.4 percent in 2009, compared to 2008. The number of violent crimes (murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault) committed in Florida dropped 10 percent last year; the number of non-violent crimes (burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft) decreased 6.2 percent.