FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SEEK HELP FROM MERCHANTS IN METH FIGHT

Federal prosecutors and investigators are coming to Cookeville to meet
with retail merchants of the Upper Cumberland on the subject of the
meth drug problem. That's partly because Putnam Sheriff's Deputy J.R.
Scott, who runs the county's meth-fighting program, has fielded many,
many questions from merchants about the meth problem.

Mechants want to know what to do if they suspect customers buying
certain items may be doing so to cook meth. They want to know what
products are used in the manufacture of the drug, and they want to
know their legal rights and responsibilities.

"So we are glad the federal prosecutors are coming here to talk to
merchants, and we are asking every merchant and resident to do
whatever they can to help the community fight this problem," Deputy
Scott said.

"It is true that if merchants willingly and knowingly sell items to be
used in the manufacture of illegal drugs and we can prove it, they can
be prosecuted," Deputy Scott said.

He said Putnam County is "second to none in the state on busting meth
labs" and said the federal prosecutors "have helped a lot because the
federal laws on this problem" are much tougher than state laws.

The federal prosecutors will be in Cookeville on Tuesday, June 22, to
talk to area merchants.

The merchants are invited to a "lunch and learn" meeting from 10 a.m.
to noon that day at the Nashville Tech Community College on Neal Street.

The program, hosted by the U.S. Attorney's office for the Middle
District of Tennessee and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, "is
designed to give merchants an overview of the methamphetamine problem
along the Cumberland Plateau and the steps retailers can take to
assist law enforcement efforts to curb the manufacture and abuse of
this highly addictive drug," said U.S. Attorney James K. Vines.

"The program will also address the effects methamphetamine is having
on families and communities in the region and will highlight the
responsibilities and obligations of retailers regarding the sale of
precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, such
as pseudoephedrine," Vines said.

Vines himself will give the opening remarks at the conference, and
Assistant U.S. Attorney Deputy Chief for Narcotics Paul O'Brien will
give a talk titled "Federal Prosecution of Retail Owners." DEA Agent
Jim Holland will also speak.

Others who will address the merchants include some local officials who
have developed expertise in the meth problem through their work. Dept.
of Children's Services social worker Betsy Dunn and emergency medicine
physician Dr. Sullivan Smith are among the guest speakers.

The session will include time for questions and answers and
discussion.

The program is free, but those wanting to attend must register in
advance by calling David Boling at (615) 736-5956 or 1-800-238-9981.
Or you may e-mail david.boling2@usdoj.gov.

Those registering must provide their names, business names and
addresses and phone numbers no later than June 17.