By James B. Bartle
The City of Sullivan will not be the third municipality in the state of Missouri and Franklin County to require a doctor’s prescription for anyone purchasing pseudoephedrine cold products. Pseudoephedrine is the key ingredient needed to produce methamphetamine.
On Tuesday night, Dec. 1, the Sullivan City Council voted 4-2 against the prescription ordinance following much discussion and input from Aldermen, Franklin County Narcotics Enforcement Unit Sgt. Jason Grellner and local pharmacist, Robert Zucco.
The aldermen voted as follows: Alderman Jarrett Dace, sponsor of the ordinance, yes; Alderman Dennis Watz, yes; Alderman Alderman Thomas Leasor, no; Alderman Michael Lohden, no; Alderman Paul McCulloch, no; and Alderman Mike Ryan, Jr., no.
Sullivan mayor, J.T. Hardy, read the ordinance before the council and requested comments from the aldermen on the issue.
Alderman Watz was the first to speak on the issue prior to the vote. Watz stated that he had gone back and forth on the issue and spoke with several people, both for and against the ordinance. Watz stated that while 97 percent of the country are law-abiding citizens there is the three percent that are not and a lot of times the 97 percent of people are punished for what others do.
Watz continued by commenting that this ordinance would help aid local law enforcement with these toxic and dangerous methamphetamine labs that cause environmental issues as well as damage to property and individuals.
Watz added that in the city of Washington where the law is in effect, the sale of pseudoephedrine products before the law was approved over a three-month period was 4,346 and three months after the law was adopted it was 268 boxes.
“I believe the city needs to be responsible to do what they can to fight crime and stop methamphetamine,” said Watz.
Alderman Leasor commented that he had more calls on this issue than any other issue he has had before him while on the city council. He stated that all but two calls were opposed to this ordinance.
“The majority of people I spoke with felt that the city was imposing on their personal rights,” said Leasor. “I see the pros and cons of this issue but, in my ward, the people are mostly against it. So, at this time, I’m against this ordinance.”
Alderman Lohden echoed the same concerns, stating that most people were against this issue and he also added that he would vote against it.
Alderman McCulloch stated that he felt Franklin County had one of the best drug task forces in the country and has been very effective in closing meth labs. He also felt the judicial system needed to punish these drug producers to the fullest extent of the law and not just “slap them on the wrist.” He also felt that the law was punishing law-abiding citizens that need this product.
Alderman Ryan stated that most of the residents in his ward that he spoke with were senior citizens and were opposed to the ordinance and couldn’t afford another bill to go to a doctor for a prescription.
“At this time, I would have to say I’m also opposed to this ordinance,” said Ryan.
Alderman Dace then spoke to the council stating that he also felt that punishments needed to be increased, but he also felt that the power is in the people and that the city has to start somewhere if the state and federal government are not going to do something.
“Most people I’ve talked to don’t like the ordinance, but they also felt that something has to be done,” said Dace.
Mayor Hardy voiced some comments on the matter, citing Franklin County’s increased efforts to stop drunk drivers due to the large number of accidents in the county from impaired drivers. He felt that increased law enforcement in this end of the county targeting meth producers could help. He also added that he still feels the issue should be addressed at the state or federal levels.
Sgt. Grellner was given permission to address the council and he made a passionate plea to the council to pass this ordinance.
“You can make a difference up to an 85 percent reduction in meth labs, if you approve this,” said Grellner. “Pharmacists in the county where this law has been passed have volunteered to call the patients’ doctors to get them their script because they know they need it. It’s then cheaper with no sales tax due to being a prescription.”
Grellner provided some information on an individual he arrested for meth labs over a six-month period, three and four times during that period.
Grellner stated that, in the state of Missouri today, there are only 230 beds available in the state prison and there is nowhere to go with prisoners. He stated he didn’t think residents wanted to pay more taxes for more prison space.
“If this law is passed, you will see a decrease in labs and crimes in your area, because the meth lab addicts won’t be in your stores buying these products and shoplifting the other products they need for their meth labs,” said Grellner.
Grellner again highlighted, as he has in the past, the pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists that keep these types of laws off the state and federal levels. He stated that pseudoephedrine products are a $1 billion a year business while nationwide $14 billion in taxpayer dollars are used every year to clean up meth labs.
Grellner stated that in a town hall meeting held in Sullivan only 30 people attended the 600-seat SHS theater, with only two opposed to the issue.
“We had information in both newspapers, local radio, television and even sent a letter regarding the meeting home with every child in the Sullivan School District and only 30 people attended,” said Grellner.
Grellner added that the county does have problems with heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine brought in from Mexico, but the Mexican meth is a “DL” drug which is less addictive and more like the drug of the 1960s and ‘70s.
“This is the most addictive drug known to man,” said Grellner.
Robert Zucco, a pharmacist at the Sullivan Wal-Mart, also addressed the council in favor of the ordinance.
“I see what goes on with this product. It’s big business and lobbyists are in Jefferson City and every capital across the country,” said Zucco. “We need this ordinance. I can put 30-to-40 boxes of these products on the shelf in a morning and by that afternoon they’re gone. People have alternate identification and it’s hard for stores to track whose buying what.”
Following more discussion, the council voted against the ordinance 4-2.
Mayor Hardy stated that the ordinance could be brought up for a vote by the council at a later date, if they choose to do so. He also stated that the city could put the issue before voters in the upcoming April election as a poll to gauge what citizens wanted to do. It would be a non-binding referendum.
The council did not take any further action on this issue.