STATE SENATE OKS LIMIT ON SALE OF METH INGREDIENTS

NASHVILLE - Retailers might soon have to be careful to avoid fines when
they sell over-the counter drugs that contain ingredients that can be used
to make methamphetamine.

The Senate this week unanimously approved a bill creating a series of fines
for retailers who sell more then three packs of such drugs to one person.
They range from $100 for the first violation to $2,000 for the third offense.

Sponsor Charlotte Burks, D-Crossville, told her colleagues that it's
already illegal under federal law to sell that much Sudafed or other cold
product containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine -
which are used to make the addictive, illegal stimulant known as meth.

Burks said retailers should be punished because meth is deadly, and costs
children their parents. The state has taken more than 500 children from
parents caught making or using meth.

Sen. Larry Trail, D-Murfreesboro, agreed that meth is a "plague,"
particularly in rural areas. "Use it one time, you're hooked," he said,
adding that fewer than 6 percent of addicts can stop using meth.

Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, said he would "rather have a family member
addicted to heroin" than to meth.

Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Goodlettsville, said that even being in a room where
meth has been made can make you an addict. "It's literally the most
devastating drug I've ever heard about in my life."

Senators defeated an effort by Sen. Jim Bryson, R-College Grove, that was
prompted by lobbyists for retailers, to prevent local governments from
making ordinances that are stricter than state law.

Cities, for example, would have been prohibited from requiring retailers to
keep the drugs behind the counter or within eyesight of the cashier. Burks
said her local Wal-Mart already was limiting the sale of ephedrine products
to two per person.

"I would like the people in my area to know that we feel passionate enough
about the children of the people of Tennessee to stand up to the Retail
Association and take their money, but say we can't vote for them this
time," Burks said.

Bryson said he agreed with most of the comments about meth, but didn't feel
the bill went far enough in addressing the problem and that the law should
be consistent. His amendment was defeated 21-9.