Pubdate: Thu, 04 Dec 2003
Source: Tullahoma News (TN)
Copyright: The Tullahoma News 2003
Contact: 
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=49033&BRD=1614&PAG=461&dept_id=161070&
Website: http://www.tullahomanews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2031
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom