'TENN METH WATCH' TAKES AIM AT CRANK JUNKIES

Remember the crack epidemic of the 1980s and early 1990s? Cocaine is
still around, but it's been replaced in rural Tennessee by
methamphetamine or "crank," which is highly addictive, long lasting,
cheap and deadly.

Indeed, it is a plague that affects not only the people who become
addicted to it, but also their children, who often are placed in state
custody because crank junkies can no longer care for them. All crank
cooks need is an out-of-the-way trailer or shed and ingredients such
as cold pills containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, rubbing
alcohol, drain cleaner, salt and matches.

With a concoction made of those substances, it's little wonder people
who use it are on the fast track to a grave, jails or hospitals.
Because of the horrible conditions it creates, law enforcement and
store operators are planning to work together on "Tennessee Meth
Watch" to try and quell the crank trade.

Store clerks will be able to call 877-TNN-METH to report suspicious
purchases, and they'll be able to question customers who are buying
large quantities of the drug ingredients and have them sign a log and
give personal information.

Considering 1,154 clandestine meth labs were found statewide in fiscal
2003 compared to 235 in fiscal 2000, it's obvious this problem is
growing. It's time to put a stop to it, and any effort such as
"Tennessee Meth Watch" is worth it.