Pubdate: Sun, 08 Aug 2004 Source: Tennessean, The (TN) Copyright: 2004 The Tennessean Contact: http://www.tennessean.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) THE MANY FRONTS OF METH Complex problems with methamphetamine in this country continue to grow. This state can certainly attest to the difficulties of waging the battle against the drug. Experts say meth use by workers and job applicants in the United States has jumped by 68% from last year. That puts meth on a pace to pass cocaine sometime this year as the drug of choice, according to one report. In Tennessee, a task force is working on ways to confront the meth problem, but while new rules for cleanups of meth labs are in the works, the state may not have the financial resources necessary to do the job, officials say. The state Department of Environment and Conservation has been working on rules for cleanups. Tennessee had 1,253 meth lab sites cleaned up last year, the highest total in the nation for the third straight year. Meanwhile, the state Department of Children's Services says that with its workload it probably won't have the time to give an updated account of children in Tennessee who are exposed to methamphetamine. State officials want updated figures so they can help measure the cost of the war against the drug. The task force is expected to make recommendations by Sept. 1. The many facets of the meth issue say something about the magnitude of the problem. Meth threatens to overwhelm state authorities just as it is overwhelming the people who become addicted to the drug. State officials who have dealt specifically with the problem have been sounding alarms. Gradually, they are getting attention. But resources and a long-term commitment to addressing the meth problem are crucial. Public awareness should spur the state to give the issue more priority. Lives and livelihoods are at stake. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager