AREA POLICE WELCOME STATE'S HELP IN METH FIGHT

NASHVILLE - A new statewide effort designed to crack down on the
spread of methamphetamines is under way. The Drug Investigation
Division of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, in partnership with
the Governor's Office, the Tennessee Police Chiefs Association, the
Tennessee Retail Association and the Tennessee Sheriffs Association
launched the Tennessee MethWatch Program on Thursday.

"Meth abuse is reaching epidemic proportions in Tennessee,
particularly in rural communities. I want to get serious about
cracking down on the problem," Gov. Phil Bredesen said.

"We're working with lawmakers to develop a comprehensive effort to
address the problem, but the MethWatch program represents a critical
first step. The only way to truly address the problem is to get
everyone working together - from TBI to local law enforcement
officials, from retailers to citizens."

MethWatch combines a public information campaign with an intelligence
collection system, centering around a 24-hour TBI meth hotline,
1-877-866-6384 (METH). It is intended to provide both a simple and
cost-effective means of deferring meth manufacturing and gathering
intelligence about potential violators for law enforcement.

"Efforts similar to MethWatch have proven very effective in other
places," TBI Interim Director David Griswold said.

"The hope is that by taking the initiative statewide, existing efforts
to crack down on the production of meth can be augmented."

MethWatch was conceived during last year's session of the General
Assembly. During hearings on proposed meth legislation, Sen. Charlotte
Burks and others met with TBI representatives to explore a voluntary
meth precursor deterrence program. The Tennessee Retail Association
and Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police subsequently committed
their support to help the program get off the ground.

As a result of the MethWatch initiative, an aggressive public
information campaign is being launched to educate the public about the
problem, and in turn, solicit the help of retailers and the community
at large in identifying and reporting suspicious behavior.

Kenneth Phillips, director of the 1st Judicial District Drug Task
Force, commended the efforts to begin a methamphetamine program at a
time when such cases are becoming a regularity in East Tennessee.

"This is definitely an asset in the fight against methamphetamines;
something we need," Phillips said.

"We have usually depended on the tips that have come from neighbors or
store owners who report someone has bought a few suspicious items that
could be used in a meth lab setting."

In addition, a more focused public education effort is being waged in
partnership with retailers across the state. Methamphetamine, known as
the "poor man's cocaine," is often manufactured from commonly
available household chemicals such as cold medicines, lithium
batteries and household cleansers. Signs and posters identifying these
items will be prominently displayed in hundreds of businesses across
the state that sell the products used in making meth.

Recent statistics show clandestine manufacture and abuse of
methamphetamine is reaching epidemic proportions in certain areas,
particularly the Cumberland Plateau.

Johnson City Police Maj. Trent Harris re-emphasized the problems that
the communities of the Cumberland Plateau have had, but said he was
pleased with the efforts the TBI is taking in solving such problems.

"Of course it is worse on the plateau, but we've been seeing an
increase here as well (in meth labs and meth use)," Harris said.

"The TBI's initiative in getting the public involved by posting the
signs of methamphetamines is commendable. They've really tackled those
problematic issues, thus getting businesses statewide involved by
pointing out the signs of individuals that manufacture
methamphetamines and the supplies a common manufacturer would purchase."