METH ADDICTS AFFECT ALL, KIDS TOO

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 is 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 1-877-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.