Pubdate: Mon, 20 Jun 2005
Source: Tennessean, The (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Tennessean
Contact:  http://www.tennessean.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/447
Author: Beth Rucker, Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG REPORTS GET SPECIFIC ABOUT METH

TBI Says Its Old Statistics Underestimated Problem

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's latest crime statistics show
slightly more than 2,700 amphetamine drug offenses for 2004, a number
that officials say is underreported.

"The reason we don't think the number of meth cases is completely
accurate is because that figure includes all amphetamines," TBI
spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson said. "A lot of the meth cases are worked
by joint task forces, and often each agency thinks the other agency
reports it."

To get a better sense of how much of a problem meth is in the state,
the TBI started requiring more specific reporting of amphetamine
offenses by local law-enforcement agencies this year. Agencies must now
report the number of meth labs as a separate number in their required
monthly crime reports to the state.

"We're not talking superlabs that produce meth in mass quantities,"
Johnson said. "We're talking mom-and-pop meth labs."

The FBI's main crime statistic database includes only information on
the kinds of crime considered to indicate fluctuations in the overall
crime volume and rate - murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible
rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft,
motor-vehicle theft and arson.

Because of the focus on those crimes, tracking of statistics on other
crimes varies from location to location. Tennessee has one of the most
comprehensive tracking systems.

But even with its system, local agencies still vary in the kind of
statistics they track and report - especially when it comes to drug
offenses.

Some federal agencies attempt to track meth lab numbers, but those
numbers aren't all inclusive and often overlap, Johnson said.

Rep. Charles Curtiss, D-Sparta, said it is important to have detailed
drug-offense reporting, especially on meth labs, so law-enforcement
officials know where to focus their resources.

"If a state doesn't do a good job reporting meth labs, it appears they
don't have a drug problem," he said. "The better data that's reported
by law enforcement, the better idea of how big a problem is."

Curtiss also said the new method of tracking meth will help lawmakers
know if legislation passed earlier this year targeting meth users is
effective.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin