Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jul 2005
Source: Cleveland Daily Banner (TN)
Copyright: 2005 Cleveland Daily Banner
Contact:  http://www.clevelandbanner.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/947
Author: Dan Gilley, Bradley County Sheriff
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH PRODUCTION IS SHOWING A DECLINE

A report that counties and state agencies are seeing a noticeable decline 
in methamphetamine production in Tennessee is welcome news for those who 
are daily waging a war against this threat to our society.

Methamphetamine is a very addictive substance that threatens the lives of 
users who suddenly find themselves hooked after one encounter with the 
drug. Meth is also a significant danger to persons who by choice or 
accident come in contact with the dangerous chemical mixtures produced in 
illegal labs.

The Governor's office released a report showing a 39 percent decline in lab 
seizures across the state since he signed the Meth-Free Act into law on 
March 30. This is proof that new regulations limiting the sale of the 
primary ingredient - pseudoephedrine - has crippled efforts for many 
producers to secure the necessary ingredients.

Law enforcement officials who closely monitored the progress of this 
legislation through the General Assembly believed Tennessee would see the 
same results as other states after they adopted similar requirements.

With meth production being so widespread in Bradley County, I am glad to 
see progress is now being made to rid our community of this dangerous 
scourge. For the last two years, our drug enforcement unit through an 
aggressive unified effort has claimed the top spot for lab seizures in the 
state.

Lab seizures in Tennessee dropped in May from 134 last year to 82 this 
year. Our Drug Enforcement Unit has also noted a decline in labs we are 
finding in use.

By moving products that contain pseudoephedrine behind the counter in 
pharmacies and banning sale by businesses that don't operate a pharmacy, we 
have taken a giant step to stamp out methamphetamine abuse.

Georgia recently joined a growing list of states with restrictions on 
pseudoephedrine, a move which should further complicate the availability of 
this substance for illegal purposes.

If you need assistance regarding a drug problem, contact our Drug 
Enforcement Unit at 728-7336.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom