TOUGHER METH PENALTIES ARE JUST THE BEGINNING

After initially dropping the ball in the state's intensifying battle
against methamphetamine, state lawmakers have an opportunity to
rectify part of that mistake. A bill is moving through the legislature
which would increase the penalties substantially for making or dealing
meth. It should be approved and sent to the governor. But it should be
only the beginning.

The bill is being sponsored by Rep. Les Winningham, D-Huntsville. It
would make the manufacture or sale of half a gram of meth a Class B
felony, punishable by eight to 30 years in prison. That's the same
penalty given to those convicted of making or dealing cocaine or
crack. Currently, the crime of making or dealing meth is a Class C
felony, punishable by three to 15 years in prison.

Increasing the state's meth penalties just makes sense. That sends the
right message that the state is serious about dealing with this
growing epidemic. And it helps get meth dealers and manufacturers off
the streets and in jail where they belong.

But "getting tough" with meth dealers should only be part of a larger,
more long-term solution. If lawmakers want to get serious about
dealing with the scourge of meth and arresting the growing epidemic,
they must do more than increase jail terms. They must look at dealing
with the root of the problem: the addiction itself.

Currently, our state has an appalling shortage of treatment facilities
for those struggling with addictions. That has to change. Creating new
drug treatment programs may be expensive on the front end. But this
year, the state has excess tax revenues which could top $100 million.
This would be a wise investment for that money.

Creating treatment programs for addicts benefits the state in a number
of ways. Treating the addiction helps reduce crime overall, since an
estimated 80 percent of crimes are drug-related. Treating the
addiction also saves the state money, since fewer inmates would be
coming into an already overcrowded prison system. And most important,
treating the addiction increases the chance for the addict to become a
productive member of society again.

Increasing meth penalties is an important step toward confronting a
growing problem in Tennessee. But it should be only the beginning of a
much broader effort.