METH TASK FORCE IDEAS MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY

The initial report of Gov. Phil Bredesen's Task Force on
Methamphetamine Abuse is in. It sets out clear objectives for dealing
with the meth problem in Tennessee. Now it is up to the governor and
the General Assembly to create and pass legislation to reduce the meth
threat in communities across Tennessee. The meth problem in Tennessee
is serious. The state must act quickly to reduce the risk to public
health and safety.

The 20-member task force (and 12 ex-officio members) delivered its
report to the governor 11 days ahead of schedule. It makes seven
cornerstone recommendations: Increase funding for meth addiction
treatment, educate communities about the dangers of meth, strengthen
criminal penalties regarding meth, commit resources to help children
harmed by meth, limit the availability of materials used to make meth,
address meth toxic contamination and improve coordination of federal,
state and local stakeholders.

Perhaps the greatest need outlined by the task force is community
education. Few people are aware of the toxic dangers involved in the
manufacture and use of methamphetamine. Unlike other substances that
are abused and that can lead to addiction, methamphetamine is
extremely toxic in its manufacturing process, its by-products and in
its use.

The places used to manufacture meth become toxic waste dumps. People
around the process, including children, are subjected to the toxic
by-products of meth labs. People who take meth ingest those same
deadly toxins. Meth addiction nearly always leads to death in only a
few short years because of the toxicity of the substance. The public
must be informed.

Each time someone buys a home, stays in a hotel or motel room, rents a
house or apartment or even buys a used vehicle, there is the risk that
environment once housed a meth lab and could be contaminated with life
and health endangering toxic substances.

The next most important recommendation of the meth task force is to
limit the availability of materials used to make meth. In short, that
means restricting the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine or
ephedrine. Placing these products behind the counters in pharmacies
and restricting their sale is a must. It will be an inconvenience for
the public and for businesses that sell the drugs. But as long as
these products are the primary source of the active ingredient in
meth, it is the only answer.