HARRIS SEEKS LAW LIMITING SALE OF DECONGESTANTS

ERWIN - Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris wants the state Legislature
to pass a law making decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, a key
ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a controlled
substance. Oklahoma is the first state to ban over-the-counter sales
of Sudafed and other decongestants used to produce meth and ordered
that the medicines be placed behind pharmacy counters. Nearly a year
later, Oklahoma's meth lab seizures are down 80 percent.

Harris says people here can now go to drug and convenience stores and
buy as much decongestants as they like "except for CVS (where they)
limit the sale to two or three boxes. They are not required to do
that, but I think they too see the danger, and people buying more than
that obviously tells me they are probably using it for making meth."

Six "super meth labs" capable of manufacturing a great deal of meth
were raided and destroyed in Unicoi County last year, Harris said. "We
arrested over 100 people last year linked to illegal drug activity -
making, possessing and selling meth," he said. "They're even making it
in their cars, and you can go to the Internet and find out how to make
the stuff.

"We need to put the brakes on these labs, as it has gotten to an
epidemic stage," Harris said. "Meth is cheap to make and has become
the drug of choice even though it is dangerous to make and it's highly
toxic."

The sheriff's department is also starting a new initiative aimed at
protecting children from the exposure to dangerous toxic fumes
produced while methamphetamine is cooked.

"I've seen baby bottles sitting next to meth labs, needles on tables
where there was baby food. It just makes you sick that people are
exposing their children to this stuff," Harris said.

Harris is seeking $100,000 in various grant funds aimed at curtailing
the manufacture of meth by adding more officers and certifying others
in the fight against drug dealers.

Harris said his department will "redouble our efforts in educating the
community" and will soon call a town meeting to explain the effects of
methamphetamine and seek the community's help in identifying illegal
labs.

"We have three officers certified to clean up meth labs. It's
frightening work because statistics say one in six meth labs will
explode and cause a fire. The fumes are highly toxic, and we've sent
officers to the hospital for treatment, including myself, after being
exposed."

Officers are now outfitted with masks and protective clothing before
entering a house where a lab is located.

Harris called Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, who also represents
Unicoi County, to suggest legislation be passed to follow Oklahoma's
lead in taking over-the-counter medicines used in the manufacture of
meth off the shelves in Tennessee.

"I think you will hear in Gov. (Phil) Bredesen's state-of-the-state
address later this month that the eradication of meth labs is a top
priority," Hawk said. "I support legislation that would limit the sale
of cold medicines used to make methamphetamine, but that's just a
start in the fight to get the drugs off the street."

At the Erwin CVS, cash registers alert clerks when someone is
attempting to purchase more than three boxes of Sudafed.

"In Oklahoma, cashiers who sell more than two packets of Sudafed are
held criminally responsible," Hawk said.

Harris suggested legislation that would make the over-the-counter
remedies schedule V drugs with customers having to sign a form before
making a purchase.