NASHVILLE TAKES ACTION AGAINST METH MANUFACTURERS

he manufacturing distribution of methamphetamine has become rampant in
parts of Tennessee. Last week the House Criminal Practice Subcommittee
approved a series of bills that could give local law enforcement additional
weight when dealing with manufacturers of methamphetamine. The Tennessee
Bureau of Investigation brought the series of drug related bills to state
legislators which allow for the prosecution of those who are found with the
intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Current laws make it difficult to
prosecute a meth manufacturer until the drug is completely produced. One of
the bills would make possessing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with the
intent to manufacture methamphetamine a class D felony, while a sister bill
prescribes the same penalty for using two or more objects that constitute
drug paraphernalia that would be used to manufacture the substance. A class
E felony offense for the possession of substances with intent to use them
to manufacture methamphetamine or to disperse the items to other people who
have the intent of making the drug is another measure included in the
legislation. Over half of the meth labs in the Southeast are located in
Tennessee and local law enforcement officials need all the state help they
can get to help combat the problem. "I am 150 percent for them and am
really pleased with these bills and glad that they were approved," Carter
County Sheriff John Henson said. "Any time we can work to stamp out drug
abuse I am all for it." Rep. Stancil Ford (R-Morristown) sponsored a
separate bill that was approved by the House Criminal Practice Subcommittee
and protects underaged children. The bill cracks down on children's
exposure to the substance and makes it easier for the Department of
Children's Services to gain custody of a child who has been placed in
danger through exposure to methamphetamine. The child could not be returned
to the home unless the court finds clear and convincing evidence that the
home environment has become safe. Failure to protect a child six years old
and younger from exposure to a meth lab is a class A misdemeanor under the
new legislation. Local state lawmakers believe that the approval of the
legislation is an important step in the right direction. "I certainly think
that we should pass the legislation and would hope that it works," said
State Rep. Ralph Cole (R-Elizabethton). Cole stated that he learned last
week from a law enforcement official that the majority of meth labs in the
state of Tennessee are located on the Cumberland Plateau just west of
Chattanooga. "This law is needed and I commend the Criminal Practice
Subcommittee," Rep. Cole said. Meth labs are easily moved and set up which
makes it difficult for law enforcement officials to locate and prosecute
manufacturers, but the recent approval of the bills in Nashville have given
local officials more to work with in their fight against drugs. "I believe
in Carter County that we are winning but it does take a lot of time,"
Sheriff Henson said. "We indicted about 30 people on drug abuse charges at
the last grand jury and we are fighting a war, but I believe we are
winning. Getting a law like this gives us more leverage and hopefully will
send a message that Tennessee is not going to tolerate drugs."