METHAMPHETAMINE LABS TOP LIST OF CRIMES FOR 2001

[Excerpt]

Local law enforcement investigated two murders, two attempted murders and
alleged unlawful businesses practices.

However, although they were not among the biggest news items
methamphetamine labs dominated the front page in McMinn, Meigs and several
other East Tennessee counties over the past year.

In the past two years methamphetamine production has steadily marched east
across the country and the state, according to law enforcement.

Before the first suspected lab was discovered here, authorities in
Tennessee counties to the west were already swamped with methamphetamine
lab cases.

The danger to civilians and the costs of cleanup for taxpayers - at about
$5,000 per lab - forced response from local law enforcement as the
methamphetamine epidemic crept into Meigs and McMinn counties.

No fewer than 20 suspected meth labs were investigated in 2001 by the
McMinn County Sheriff's Department, Meigs County Sheriff's Department,
Athens Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Calhoun Police
Department and Englewood Police Department, and in many cases the
investigations were conducted with assistance from the U.S. Drug
Enforcement Administration and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

Members of law enforcement agree the influx of methamphetamine has put meth
labs on the front burner.

Officials here believe the battle against meth in East Tennessee is just
getting started.

[Content not related to drug policy snipped for brevity]