MATHENY AND COPE LAUD LEGISLATION PROPOSING TOUGH METH PROSECUTION

The state House Judiciary Committee's supporting a bill Wednesday to
place methamphetamine prosecution on a level with cocaine is a step in
the right direction.

that is Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma, and Tullahoma Mayor Steve
Cope's assessment about how a potential law taking shape in the
General Assembly could be the most viable option in attacking a
widespread meth abuse problem in Tennessee.

Matheny sponsored the legislation with seven other representatives.
It is expected to be voted on soon on the House and Senate floors.

Cope is a member of Gov. Phil Bredesen's recently established
20-member task force called on to look at ways to deal with
Tennessee's meth problem.

Bredesen has called the illegal, dangerous stimulant - made with
nonprescription cold medicine and common household chemicals - a
scourge on the state.

If the legislation is approved by the full General Assembly, people
convicted of making or dealing methamphetamine would face penalties
equal to those who manufacture cocaine or crack.

The bill that passed in the House Judiciary Committee is part of
Bredesen's plan to use $4.3 million in recurring funds to fund
prosecution of meth crimes. The legislation was sent for consideration
by the House Finance Committee.

Currently, those convicted of making or selling half a gram of meth
are charged with a Class C felony, which carries a penalty of three to
15 years in jail and a fine.

HB 2209, also sponsored by Rep. Les Winningham, D-Huntsville, would
make the crime a Class B felony with a jail sentence of eight to 30
years - a punishment equal to that given for making or dealing cocaine
or crack.

Cope said strengthening the law appears to be about the only way to
attack a growing, out of hand meth abuse problem.

"What we're being told by experts is rehabilitation from
methamphetamine is almost impossible," he said. "What are our options?
Locking up violators for longer periods of time?"

Cope said he believes "a hard line" must be drawn to do something
about meth, and longer jail sentences may be the only way to do
something about the problem."

Matheny said he is glad at least some action is being taken to
resurrect what had been a dying issue to appropriate money this year
to combat meth.

"It was dead a month ago, but now it's alive," he said, referring to
the legislation.

Matheny said although slightly more than $4 million is being
considered, it won't begin to fully address the meth abuse problem in
Tennessee.

"Four million dollars will take care of about 25 percent of what we
really need," he said. "But it's a still a good start. It gives law
enforcement agencies badly needed tools to do what they need to do."

Any changes recommended by the task force won't come until at least
Sept. 1, when the group is required to report back to the governor.

That's why Bredesen is proposing the increased penalties now,
according to administration spokesman Will Pinkston.

"The governor really believes there is a clear and present danger with
meth right now and wanted to look at some sort of improvement this
year to build a foundation on," Pinkston told the committee.

Pinkston said in an Associated Press story that the governor doesn't
think the increased penalties "will be the total answer to the
problem. But he does believe they will send a strong message to offenders."