Pubdate: Tue, 12 Mar 2002
Source: Elizabethton Star (TN)
Copyright: 2002 Elizabethton Newspapers, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.starhq.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1478
Author: Megan R. Harrell

NASHVILLE TAKES ACTION AGAINST METH MANUFACTURERS

he manufacturing distribution of methamphetamine has become rampant in 
parts of Tennessee. Last week the House Criminal Practice Subcommittee 
approved a series of bills that could give local law enforcement additional 
weight when dealing with manufacturers of methamphetamine. The Tennessee 
Bureau of Investigation brought the series of drug related bills to state 
legislators which allow for the prosecution of those who are found with the 
intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Current laws make it difficult to 
prosecute a meth manufacturer until the drug is completely produced. One of 
the bills would make possessing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with the 
intent to manufacture methamphetamine a class D felony, while a sister bill 
prescribes the same penalty for using two or more objects that constitute 
drug paraphernalia that would be used to manufacture the substance. A class 
E felony offense for the possession of substances with intent to use them 
to manufacture methamphetamine or to disperse the items to other people who 
have the intent of making the drug is another measure included in the 
legislation. Over half of the meth labs in the Southeast are located in 
Tennessee and local law enforcement officials need all the state help they 
can get to help combat the problem. "I am 150 percent for them and am 
really pleased with these bills and glad that they were approved," Carter 
County Sheriff John Henson said. "Any time we can work to stamp out drug 
abuse I am all for it." Rep. Stancil Ford (R-Morristown) sponsored a 
separate bill that was approved by the House Criminal Practice Subcommittee 
and protects underaged children. The bill cracks down on children's 
exposure to the substance and makes it easier for the Department of 
Children's Services to gain custody of a child who has been placed in 
danger through exposure to methamphetamine. The child could not be returned 
to the home unless the court finds clear and convincing evidence that the 
home environment has become safe. Failure to protect a child six years old 
and younger from exposure to a meth lab is a class A misdemeanor under the 
new legislation. Local state lawmakers believe that the approval of the 
legislation is an important step in the right direction. "I certainly think 
that we should pass the legislation and would hope that it works," said 
State Rep. Ralph Cole (R-Elizabethton). Cole stated that he learned last 
week from a law enforcement official that the majority of meth labs in the 
state of Tennessee are located on the Cumberland Plateau just west of 
Chattanooga. "This law is needed and I commend the Criminal Practice 
Subcommittee," Rep. Cole said. Meth labs are easily moved and set up which 
makes it difficult for law enforcement officials to locate and prosecute 
manufacturers, but the recent approval of the bills in Nashville have given 
local officials more to work with in their fight against drugs. "I believe 
in Carter County that we are winning but it does take a lot of time," 
Sheriff Henson said. "We indicted about 30 people on drug abuse charges at 
the last grand jury and we are fighting a war, but I believe we are 
winning. Getting a law like this gives us more leverage and hopefully will 
send a message that Tennessee is not going to tolerate drugs."
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