Kentucky initiates awareness campaign around 'smurfing' of PSE products
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Steve Beshear on Monday announced the launch of a privately funded, statewide campaign aimed at increasing public awareness about "smurfing," the illegal process of buying products containing pseudoephedrine on behalf of methamphetamine criminals. The goal of the Anti-Smurfing Campaign is to inform potential smurfers and the general public — through signage displayed at pharmacy sales counters — that smurfing is a serious criminal offense that can result in criminal charges and possibly time in jail.
The initiative was developed by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association and will be carried out by Kentucky retailers on a voluntary basis.
“Meth has an enormous fiscal and criminal impact on Kentucky, and I am committed to working with leaders across the state to combat the use of this deadly drug," Beshear said. "Smurfing is a main component of the criminal meth process and I want to thank the industry leaders and retailers who are sponsoring this anti-smurfing educational effort.”
“The Anti-Smurfing Campaign also has broad support from the Kentucky retail and law enforcement officials," noted Scott Melville, CHPA president and CEO. "In addition to exploring policy solutions to methamphetamine production and abuse, Kentucky leaders recognize the clear need for a public awareness campaign to inform responsible consumers and meth offenders of the criminal and moral consequences of buying pseudoephedrine for meth cooks.”
The Kentucky Pharmacists Association and the Kentucky Retail Federation, both co-sponsors of the campaign, have already begun distributing Anti-Smurfing signage to retailers across the state. The campaign is part of Gov. Beshear’s commitment to fighting drug abuse through public awareness and legislative solutions.
Gov. Beshear joined members of the General Assembly, representatives from the Kentucky Retail Federation, the Kentucky Pharmacists Association and the CHPA for the anti-smurfing announcement.