Pubdate: Tue, 23 Mar 2004
Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN)
Copyright: 2004 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
Contact:  http://www.knoxnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226
Author: Associated Press

LEGISLATIVE PANEL ON METH PUNTS ISSUE TO GOVERNOR

NASHVILLE - A special legislative committee appointed to study dozens of 
bills and find a solution to the spread of methamphetamine and its 
devastating impact on families essentially gave up Monday.

Committee members could not reach a consensus on the best approach. They 
knew that money to enact most of the proposals - which would increase jail 
time for users and producers - would be tough to find.

They voted to ask Gov. Phil Bredesen to work with the Legislature to create 
a task force that could spend more time on the issue and recommend a 
comprehensive solution in January.

Rep. Judd Matheny, R-Tullahoma, who proposed some of the legislation, was 
not pleased with the outcome. He said waiting a year "without notable 
progress will be more devastating than you can imagine."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman