METHWATCH PROGRAM KICKS OFF STATEWIDE

A new statewide effort to crack down on the spread of methamphetamine
was launched Thursday as a result of the 2003 Tennessee General Assembly.

The MethWatch program aims to combine a public information campaign
with an intelligence collection system to curtail the boom of
methamphetamine production in Tennessee.

Tennessee is ranked second in the nation in meth production, according
to officials. The drug is known to be volatile and deadly while it is
being produced and is highly addictive.

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

One of the primary tools in the fight against meth is a TBI phone
number retailers and citizens can call when they see suspicious
activity involving meth production. The number is 1-877-866-6384.

All suspicious activity reported to the hotline will be followed up by
state and local law enforcement officials.

Many local retailers have already taken action in the fight against
meth. Meth cooks often buy a large amount of cold medicines that
contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to make the deadly drug. Some
pharmacies and stores have systems in place that restrict the amount
of cold medicine that can be purchased.

Some Sevier County businesses that are participating in the MethWatch
program include Kroger, Wal-Mart and Walgreens, according to Tennessee
Retailers Association Director Russell Park. Other stores who sell
products used to make meth may also be participating, he said.

Common items purchased in bulk to make meth are cold medicines like
Sudafed, coffee filters, lithium batteries, matches, propane tanks,
alcohol and acetone.

Officials say when meth is being produced, there will often be a
strong smell of ammonia. Citizens are warned to stay far away from
such sites.

While the TBI does much of the promotion of MethWatch to retailers,
local law enforcement acknowledged their support of it and hope to
continue to make the public more aware.

"Hopefully we can do more in the future," said Sheriff Bruce
Montgomery.

"With the advent of MethWatch, the state of Tennessee now has a
cost-effective, easy-to-use and comprehensive program aimed directly
at hitting meth where it hurts the most," said State Representative
Judd Matheny in a public statement.