Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jan 2005 Source: Johnson City Press (TN) Copyright: 2005 Johnson City Press Contact: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1983 Author: Ron Scalf Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) HARRIS SEEKS LAW LIMITING SALE OF DECONGESTANTS ERWIN - Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris wants the state Legislature to pass a law making decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a controlled substance. Oklahoma is the first state to ban over-the-counter sales of Sudafed and other decongestants used to produce meth and ordered that the medicines be placed behind pharmacy counters. Nearly a year later, Oklahoma's meth lab seizures are down 80 percent. Harris says people here can now go to drug and convenience stores and buy as much decongestants as they like "except for CVS (where they) limit the sale to two or three boxes. They are not required to do that, but I think they too see the danger, and people buying more than that obviously tells me they are probably using it for making meth." Six "super meth labs" capable of manufacturing a great deal of meth were raided and destroyed in Unicoi County last year, Harris said. "We arrested over 100 people last year linked to illegal drug activity - making, possessing and selling meth," he said. "They're even making it in their cars, and you can go to the Internet and find out how to make the stuff. "We need to put the brakes on these labs, as it has gotten to an epidemic stage," Harris said. "Meth is cheap to make and has become the drug of choice even though it is dangerous to make and it's highly toxic." The sheriff's department is also starting a new initiative aimed at protecting children from the exposure to dangerous toxic fumes produced while methamphetamine is cooked. "I've seen baby bottles sitting next to meth labs, needles on tables where there was baby food. It just makes you sick that people are exposing their children to this stuff," Harris said. Harris is seeking $100,000 in various grant funds aimed at curtailing the manufacture of meth by adding more officers and certifying others in the fight against drug dealers. Harris said his department will "redouble our efforts in educating the community" and will soon call a town meeting to explain the effects of methamphetamine and seek the community's help in identifying illegal labs. "We have three officers certified to clean up meth labs. It's frightening work because statistics say one in six meth labs will explode and cause a fire. The fumes are highly toxic, and we've sent officers to the hospital for treatment, including myself, after being exposed." Officers are now outfitted with masks and protective clothing before entering a house where a lab is located. Harris called Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, who also represents Unicoi County, to suggest legislation be passed to follow Oklahoma's lead in taking over-the-counter medicines used in the manufacture of meth off the shelves in Tennessee. "I think you will hear in Gov. (Phil) Bredesen's state-of-the-state address later this month that the eradication of meth labs is a top priority," Hawk said. "I support legislation that would limit the sale of cold medicines used to make methamphetamine, but that's just a start in the fight to get the drugs off the street." At the Erwin CVS, cash registers alert clerks when someone is attempting to purchase more than three boxes of Sudafed. "In Oklahoma, cashiers who sell more than two packets of Sudafed are held criminally responsible," Hawk said. Harris suggested legislation that would make the over-the-counter remedies schedule V drugs with customers having to sign a form before making a purchase. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin