Pubdate: Tue, 28 Jun 2005
Source: Jackson Sun News (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Jackson Sun
Contact:  http://www.jacksonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1482
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)

STATE SHOULD FOCUS NOW ON TREATING ADDICTION

Gov. Phil Bredesen received some good news recently in the state's
continuing war against methamphetamine. According to recently released
records from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, methamphetamine lab
busts have dropped 39 percent from a year ago, thanks in large part to a
tough new law that requires cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine to be
placed behind pharmacy counters.

Clearly, passing this tough new law was the right thing to do. Now,
the Bredesen administration should follow through with plans to take
the next logical step by boosting both public awareness and access to
treatment programs.

Tennessee's tough new meth law, signed March 30, does more than
restrict access to pseudoephedrine - a key ingredient in meth's
manufacture. It also closed the "personal use" loophole which allowed
people to get lighter sentences as long as the drug was made only for
their own use. And it created both an online registry for the
Department of Environment and Conservation to list the properties
quarantined because of meth lab contamination and a separate registry
for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to list convicted meth cooks.

Why concentrate on treatment?

Because meth literally is a poison.

It doesn't just affect the user. It also contaminates the property
where it is made. And it endangers innocent children who may be living
with an addict.

According to the Department of Children's Services, more than 700
children were involved in meth-related investigations in the past six
months.

Another reason for concentrating on treatment is that it helps reduce
crime. Law enforcement has known for years that the majority of crimes
committed are drug-related. So choking off supply by reducing demand
is just common sense.

The recently signed budget for next year contains $7 million to pay
for public awareness campaigns and new treatment initiatives. Along
with the tough new law, that should be only an initial investment in
an enhanced effort by the state to defeat meth and to help those who
are addicted to gain a new lease on life.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin