Pubdate: Mon, 07 Mar 2005
Source: Cleveland Daily Banner (TN)
Copyright: 2005 Cleveland Daily Banner
Contact:  http://www.clevelandbanner.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/947
Author: Gwen Swiger, Associate Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH-FREE TENNESSEE

On Tuesday, the Tennessee Senate Judicial Committee will be considering 
SB2318 - or the Meth-Free Tennessee Act of 2005.

This act would limit the sale of methamphetamine precursors, close a 
"personal-use loophole" in criminal prosecution, require reporting of meth 
lab-related injuries and create an online registry of sites contaminated 
from meth labs.

The state of Tennessee has recorded a tremendous growth in the number of 
meth lab seizures. The state now accounts for 75 percent of the meth labs 
found in the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement 
Administration. From October 2003 to August 2004, Tennessee had about 1,200 
meth labs captured. This is a 397 percent increase over 2000.

Meth is a particularly addictive drug, according to reports. Individuals 
experimenting with the drug have found one time is all it takes to become 
an addict.

Not only is meth addictive, but it can be explosive and is toxic to its 
surroundings. Sites where meth has been "cooked" are considered 
contaminated and require quarantine and toxic cleanup.

The drug can be particularly harmful to children. More than 700 children 
are added to the state custody each year as a result of the seizure of meth 
labs.

The main thrust of the Meth-Free Act is to restrict the availability of the 
over-the-counter decongestants containing pseudeophedrine as a deterrent to 
meth cooks. The Meth-Free act is based on a measure passed in Oklahoma. 
After implementation of its law, Oklahoma recorded a 70 percent drop in the 
number of labs. Tennessee is hoping for a similar drop in the proliferation 
of these dangerously toxic drug labs.

The proposal would put some products containing pseudeophedrine behind the 
counter. Since liquids and gel caps are not considered viable in the meth 
production process, they would be on the shelves for consumer use. The 
nonprescription medicine tablets of cold and sinus decongestant with 
pseudeophedrine would be dispensed by the pharmacy. The law would also 
prohibit the pharmacy from selling more than three individual packages of 
tablets with an "immediate methamphetamine precursor" to the same individual.

A loophole in the current criminal justice system, allowed meth cookers to 
receive reduced or light sentences by claiming they were making it for 
personal use. The measure would change it from a Class E felony to a Class 
D Felony. It would also tighten the law for possession of the substance.

The registry to be created would include the names of all individuals 
convicted of making, selling or possessing with intent to manufacture or 
sell meth products.

It is a measure that needs passage to help ensure the safety of 
Tennesseans. The inconvenience to both the general public and pharmacy as a 
result of the dispensing of the sinus medicine is minor compared to the 
dangers that result from the production of meth.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom