LAWMAKERS FAILED BY DEFERRING METH PROBLEM

Members of a special legislative committee dedicated to studying the
growing methamphetamine problem in Tennessee failed citizens Monday
when it gave up and deferred the issue until next year. The problem,
as with most things in Tennessee, is money. But there is a cost to
doing nothing, too.

Lawmakers this year were faced with dozens of bills dealing with the
growing meth epidemic. Instead of doing something, they voted to ask
Gov. Phil Bredesen to appoint a task force to offer a comprehensive
solution when the General Assembly reconvenes in January.

Meth is already a problem in 43 of Tennessee's counties. By next year,
it is projected to have spread to all 95. Already, hundreds of
children are being removed from homes where meth is being
manufactured. By next year, that number is expected to double.
Thousands of Tennesseans are already addicted. By next year, thousands
more will have fallen prey to that addiction.

Without new infusions of money this year to help law enforcement, this
epidemic will continue to spread. Without new money for badly needed
rehabilitation programs, lives will continue to be ruined. Without
action being taken, we will only continue the vicious cycle of
building new prisons to recycle the same criminals that go in and out
of the system.

Lawmakers might have helped themselves by doing nothing. But their
inaction hurts the state.