By James B. Bartle
The City of Sullivan could be the third municipality in the state of Missouri to adopt an ordinance requiring anyone who purchases pseudoephedrine products to have a prescription from a physician. Currently, the towns of Washington and Union are the only municipalities in the state to have such an ordinance.
During the Tues., Nov. 3 meeting of the Sullivan City Council, Alderman Jarrett Dace brought the issue before the council once again.
The council has been debating this issue for several weeks after the City of Washington approved the ordinance. It appears as though the council wanted to see if any lawsuits were filed against Washington, who was the first city in the state to adopt the law.
Dace stated that he would like to see the city move forward with an ordinance requiring a prescription. Dace stated that he had been speaking with narcotics officers and, in Washington and Union, they have seen a drop in the sales of pseudoephedrine products.
Pseudoephedrine is a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine.
Alderman Thomas Leasor stated that he would like to hear the public comments on this issue, whether pro or con.
“I don’t mind getting calls on this issue and I want to get feedback from the public on this proposed ordinance,” said Leasor.
Mayor J.T. Hardy stated that there is no “magic bullet” to stop methamphetamine production and reiterated to the council that he has felt and still feels that this issue should be addressed on a state or national level.
“I’ve spoken with somebody that’s out in the field dealing with this and asking us to get something done,” said Dace.
“We’ve got to start somewhere and get people off of methamphetamine one way or another,” said Alderman Mike Ryan.
Alderman Dace stated that he would be willing to sponsor an ordinance on this issue for the next council meeting to mirror what has been adopted to the cities of Union and Washington.
The council did express some concerns over litigation on this matter.
City attorney Matt Schroeder stated that it is well within the power of the city council to regulate this drug.
Alderman Dace will work with city attorney Matt Schroeder to have an ordinance prepared for the Dec. 1 meeting of the Sullivan City Council.