TOUGHER METH LAWS COULD HELP OFFICIALS

Area Officials Are Asking For Help From Lawmakers On Punishment For
Methamphetamine Makers And Dealers.

Methamphetamine use has raised the bar for law enforcement and the
courts, becoming a scourge on the area. Those battling the "moonshine
of the new millennium," - city and county government, property owners
and others - feel limited by the penalties placed on the makers and
sellers of meth.

So what are officials doing?

Polk County Commission members are asking for a stiffening of
penalties for manufacturing, possession and sale of the powerfully
addictive cocktail.

At any given time, at least 50 percent of the head count in Bradley
and Polk County jails are there because of meth.

According to Gary Waters of the Polk County Sheriff's Department, "If
you count all of the theft and burglary-related activity the inmates
use to get their money for meth, the count can go up to 90 percent."

The Polk Commission has adopted a resolution to present to lawmakers
concerning the penalties of meth. Highlights of the resolution are as
follows:

"A resolution to recognize that methamphetamine is the second most
widely abused illicit drug in the world, and whereas, it would be in
the best interest of Polk County, Tennessee for the legislature to
stiffen penalties, and provide mandatory jail time for the offenses.
Further, that the judicial system be made aware of the (Polk County)
Commission's concern and punish violators to the fullest extent of the
law."

Tenth Judicial Drug Task Force Director Roxanne Blackwell shored up
the Polk Commission's plea for mandatory sentencing of meth offenders,
especially if children are present around a clandestine meth lab. In
2003, approximately 600 children across the state, were removed from
homes where meth was being produced.

"The only mandatory penalty on a state offense has to deal with
driving under the influence. If convicted of the manufacture, use or
distribution of meth, offenders should face, at the least, a minimum
mandatory sentence," said Blackwell. "At this point, there is no such
sentencing guideline."

The 10th Judicial DTF district includes Bradley, McMinn, Polk and
Monroe counties.