MARSHALL COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -
There's a new statewide initiative aimed at taking down those who make meth. The crackdown involves some tough new laws.
It's now a felony just to ask someone else to buy ingredients used to make meth, and the prime ingredient will be much more controlled.
Marshall County officials announced the new campaign Friday afternoon at Bunch Pharmacy in Guntersville.
Pseudoephedrine will now only be available at pharmacies.
A new computer statewide checking system is now fully operational, which allows limited monthly purchases of the drug no matter what pharmacy you go to.
District Attorney Steve Marshall said real time purchases are also seen by law enforcement, and people convicted of drug offenses will not be allowed to purchase pseudoephedrine unless they have a prescription.
Marshall believes this new tracking system will help seriously cut down on "smurfing" for meth makers.
"What they want to be able to do is supply ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, to those that were cooking, and it just became - and we were hearing - as much as $50 a pack for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine product," said Marshall.
Marshall said this should not affect people just wanting to purchase the drug for the right reasons.
People will still be able to buy the drug but must show a valid driver's license that is not suspended or revoked.
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Pseudoephedrine will now only be available at pharmacies.
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