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.