CITY TARGETING MEDICINES USED TO MAKE 'METH'

Tullahoma is officially considering whether to adopt an ordinance similar to
Cookeville's where certain restrictions would be placed on over the counter
medicine used to produce methamphetamine. The Board of Mayor and Aldermen
agreed recently to have city personnel assess how such a restrictive
ordinance would impact residents and agreed to solicit public input on the
issue.

Alderman Troy Bisby, who chairs the city's Drug Free Task Force, brought the
subject to the board's attention.

He said methamphetamine abuse has become widespread, and a way to counter
the problem could lie in taking action like Cookeville where sales
limitations have been placed on over the counter medicine that contains
products used to make methamphetamine.

"I'd like to see us do a study and get local input," Bisby said. "We could
take further action at another time."

Alderman Janice Bowling agreed such a study should be done because
methamphetamine abuse has gotten out of hand in nearby Franklin and Warren
counties, and the problem appears to be constantly getting worse.

Another detrimental side effect is that meth abusers have a three-year life
expectancy after they become adicted to the substance, she added.

Bisby initially told the city's Drug Free Task Force about what Cookevelle
and the state Legislature have tried to do to curb meth abuse and
manufacturing.

Bisby had said the Legislature has considered more restrictive legislation
on over the counter drugs.

Though the Senate supported stronger measures, the House did not because of
concern expressed by the Tennessee Council of Retail Merchants. He added
that the organization's concern was about how retail sales could be
infringed upon.

The Legislature is expected to reconsider the restrictive legislation this
year, Bisby said.

Despite the Legislature's delay, Bisby said Cookeville decided to take an
extra step by enacting its own ordinance.

The Legislature's bill initially considered would have limited sales of
ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, allowing no more than
three packages per single purchase.

Cookeville's ordinance requires that products such as Sudafed and
Sudafedrin, two items containing the medicine, be kept behind or close to
store counters with a transaction limit set at 100 tablets or three grams.
Signatures are also required for purchases.

City Attorney Steve Worsham said the city board should consider and approve
a similar ordinance, no matter what the state does. He added that the move
would ensure Tullahoma would have some control over products sold to produce
methamphetamine.