(A) Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate and phenylpropanolamine are active ingredients in over-the-counter products for allergy and congestion, and in addition to their legal uses, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate and phenylpropanolamine are being purchased and misused by some segments of the community to manufacture the illegal substance of methamphetamine.
(B) Boone County, not unlike many, if not all counties in Indiana, has become known to narcotics officers and drug enforcement agents for having had incidents of illicit manufacture, sale and use of methamphetamine.
(C) There is a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety and welfare in that the manufacture, processing, transportation, possession and sales of illicit narcotics and drugs are inherently dangerous, and that the chemicals, compounds, substances, byproducts and waste associated with the manufacture of illicit narcotics and drugs are both dangerous and injurious to the health, welfare and safety of the residents of Boone County, Indiana.
(D) Products commonly associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine are sold in Boone County and law enforcement agencies in Boone County continue to report incidents of thefts and the illegal possession of over-the-counter products that contain as an ingredient ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate and phenylpropanolamine, as well as other products associated with the manufacturer of methamphetamine.
(E) Placing restrictions and controls on the purchase of products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate and phenylpropanolamine will facilitate the tracking and eventual capture of methamphetamine manufacturers and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement and the prevention of drug abuse and the crime that results therefrom.
(F) The county shall require any person, as hereinafter defined, who sells any product, on a retail level, containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate and phenylpropanolamine to apply for a permit, on an annual basis, with the Boone County Sheriff’s Department (hereinafter referred to as the permittee).
(G) The reasonable limitations found in this subchapter on the quantity of products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine sulfate and phenylpropanolamine that may be sold to or purchased by a customer on a single day will assist the county in its effort to combat the insidious criminal methods of illegal methamphetamine manufacturers in the county, and will not unduly restrict legitimate businesses or customers from selling or buying these products.
(Ord. 2005-07, passed 4-11-2005)