COPE ON METH ABUSE TASK FORCE

Tullahoma Mayor Steve Cope is one of 20 politicians, law enforcement
officers and drug experts appointed Thursday to serve on Gov. Phil
Bredesen's methamphetamine abuse task force. Cope explained his outlook
following his appointment.

"It's certainly an honor to be selected for such an opportunity by the
governor," he said. "Meth is a critical problem, and we've got to do
something about it."

Also appointed to the task force is Russ Spray, Southern Tennessee Medical
Center chief executive officer, Winchester.

Methamphetamine, a powerfully addictive stimulant that affects the central
nervous system, is produced in clandestine laboratories across Tennessee
with relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that Tennessee now
accounts for 75 percent of meth lab seizures in the Southeast.

Cope's appointment goes hand in hand with a resolution the Board of Mayor
and Aldermen acted on Monday.

The resolution urges the governor and the General Assembly to enact more
strict legislation to control meth production and sales.

It requests that "stringent laws be put in place as soon as possible to aid
in the control of the sale manufacturing and purchase of ingredients for
manufacture and distribution of meth."

It also requests the resolution be sent to the governor, Sen. Jerry Cooper,
D-Morrison; Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma; and Rep. George Fraley,
D-Winchester.

The Board of Aldermen has previously discussed increasing meth abuse laws
and decided the resolution would be a step in the right direction.

The board has also considered an ordinance to limit the sale of items used
to produce meth.

Alderman Troy Bisby proposed that Tullahoma enact its own ordinance to make
it more difficult for abusers to buy over-the-counter drugs to produce meth.

He referred to a discussion the board had at its Jan. 12 meeting regarding
the issue.

The board had approved to to have city personnel assess how such a
restrictive ordinance would impact residents and agreed to solicit public
input on the issue.

Bisby said over-the-counter drugs, such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and
phenylpropanolamine could be controlled to where purchasers would be
required to sign their names when they buy them.

Bisby said the city can't do some things to discourage meth abuse, "but we
can make the sale of items to produce it more restrictive."

Cope said the task force is taking the meth eradication move to a "grass
roots" level initiative.

"I think controlling selling ingredients used to produce meth in bulk is a
good step," he said. "The more we can do and the faster we can do it will
result in a more positive result."

Bredesen said in a press release announcing the task force appointments how
important it is to take measures to combat a growing meth abuse problem.

"The proliferation of meth represents a clear and present danger to the
health and well being of our children and our general population," Bredesen
said. "I'm grateful these qualified Tennesseans have agreed to serve and
bring their knowledge and experience to bear."

The Task Force, established by executive order on April 7, is charged with
developing a comprehensive strategy for addressing the manufacture,
trafficking and abuse of methamphetamine in Tennessee.

The panel, which met for the first time Tuesday in Nashville, also includes
12 ex-officio members who will provide general advice and counsel to the
core group.

Bredesen wants recommendations by Sept. 1 on a comprehensive strategy.

Members of the task force also include Sen. Charlotte Burks of Monterey,
Rep. Charles Curtiss of Sparta, Haywood County Sheriff Melvin Bond, drug
counselor David Brown of Chattanooga, TBI interim director David Griswold,
Nashville pharmacist Ed Hansberry, Franklin public defender John Henderson
and Leighta Laitinen of the Mountain States Health Alliance in Johnson City.

Other members are Hamilton Middle School assistant principal Augusta Mayo
of Memphis, Morristown Police Chief Roger Overholt, Cookeville Judge Lillie
Ann Sells, Cookeville Regional Medical Center emergency medical director
Dr. Sullivan Smith, Bledsoe County Sheriff Bob Swafford, Hartsville
prosecutor Tommy Thompson, Kingston Police Chief James Washam, Putnam
County Commissioner Johnnie Wheeler and Rockwood pharmacist Doug Wilson.

The panel is chaired by Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens.