Commenting on the lack of interest in the General Assembly toward combatting the growing problem of meth abuse, members of the Cookeville City Council last night adopted a resolution urging state lawmakers to take "swift action." Councilman Ricky Shelton introduced a resolution stating that "A joint House-Senate committee on methamphetamine legislation could not find funding to support proposals aimed at stemming the fast-spreading epidemic of this highly-addictive drug."

"I was very disappointed when I heard last week that the state wasn't going to do anything about this problem," said Shelton after reading the proposel resolution. "But I still hope they can find some money to do something.

[continues 445 words]

Fourteen days from now a tough new anti-meth ordinance that could become a widespread "model" for controlling the illegal drug will take effect in Cookeville. Cookeville City Council last night voted final approval for the ordinance, stepping ahead of the state legislature where State Sen. Charlotte Burks of Monterey worked diligently this spring for a statewide anti-meth law. Her bill passed easily in the Senate but was sidetracked to a committee in the State House for "study" over the summer.

[continues 630 words]