Ind. attorney general combats smurfing

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller helped unveil a statewide public awareness campaign Wednesday in Bloomington targeting those who buy cold medicines for the purpose of making Methamphetamine.

Zoeller launched the campaign at the CVS pharmacy at 1000 N. College Ave., where he was joined by Monroe County Prosecutor Chris Gaal and Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan.

“Law enforcement, prosecutors and our legislature have all worked hard to crack down on the use and manufacturing of methamphetamine, and the fact is, more must be done,” Zoeller said in a press release.

The campaign objective is to increase awareness about the criminal practice called “smurfing” in which people purchase cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine to sell to methamphetamine cooks.

“This joint initiative shows that state leaders are willing to join forces with the manufacturers of over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines to remind all Hoosiers if you’re purchasing these items for a meth cook, you are breaking the law, and you will be arrested,” Zoeller said.

Zoeller said his office aims to raise awareness to combat prescription drug abuse through statewide radio, television, online, print and outdoor advertisements that feature information about the campaign’s website, bitterpill.in.gov.

In September, Monroe County received an award from the Association of Indiana Counties for its Pharmaceutical Safe Disposal Program.

“As Monroe County Prosecutor, one of my key efforts in outreach to our community has been the Pharmaceutical Safe Disposal Program,” Gaal said in the release.

— Brianna Meyer