CAC WANTS CHILD ABUSE COMPONENT ADDED TO METH LAWS

BLOUNTVILLE - Protective measures for children should be in proposed
legislation attacking methamphetamine manufacturing in Tennessee, Sullivan
County lawmakers in the legislature were told Friday.

Gov. Phil Bredesen's anti-meth lab bill initiative was among the top
children's issues discussed by the leadership of the Children's Advocacy
Center of Sullivan County (CAC) in a meeting with lawmakers.

"As you look at that (meth lab) legislation, we ask that you always
remember that probably in those households, there are going to be children
who are impacted by the presence of that methamphetamine and the production
of that," CAC Executive Director Kathy Fields told lawmakers. "It's not
really considered child abuse. It is reckless endangerment."

Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey of Blountville told Fields he is pretty
sure that wording will be in the bill for meth lab operators to be
considered child abusers if children are present.

According to the governor's bill, the Tennessee Department of Children's
Services reports more than 700 children are being taken into state custody
each year as a result of meth lab seizures and incidents. Particularly at
risk are infants and toddlers living in homes in which toxic lab emissions
and residue settle on floors and furniture.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that Tennessee now
accounts for 75 percent of meth lab seizures in the Southeast. From October
2003 to August 2004, law enforcement authorities seized nearly 1,200 labs
in the Volunteer State - a 397 percent increase from 2000.

The governor's proposal calls for limitations on the sale of cold and sinus
products containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine, the vital ingredient
in the manufacture of methamphetamine. While many pseudoephedrine products
will go behind the counter in licensed pharmacies, liquids and gel caps
will be exempt from restrictions because they currently are not deemed
viable in the meth manufacturing process, according to the proposal.

Aside from the meth lab bill, Fields encouraged the lawmakers to support
continuing funding for more than 20 CACs across the state.

"I think the country is really recognizing the need for children's advocacy
centers and that coordinated effort," she said. "What's great is that
Sullivan County always had that. We were part of that initial push."

The meeting discussion also focused on the continuing challenges faced by
the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS).

"They are looking at hiring more case workers, but also increasing the pay
of the case workers," Ramsey said of DCS.

State Rep. Steve Godsey, R-Blountville, said DCS has drawn criticism from
lawmakers for having a Nashville-based central intake phone line to report
child abuse or neglect.

"They don't accept calls from children," Godsey said of DCS. "There ought
to be locations throughout the state, not just one receiving area. ... If
you want to call your local department of children's services, it goes into
Nashville."

Sullivan County District Attorney Greeley Wells also advocated having child
abuse or neglect queries to be screened locally.

"They need to have our input on what can be done immediately and what could
be put off for a day or two," Wells said.

CAC's mission is to combat child sexual and severe physical abuse by
coordinating and providing services to children and families in crisis in a
safe, caring environment.

For more about CAC go to www.childrensadvocacycenter.com.