Tenn. Panel Calls for Restricting Cold Medicine Sales August 24, 2004
News Summary
To curb widespread misuse of methamphetamine, a Tennessee task force formed by Gov. Phil Bredesen has recommended tighter controls on certain decongestants, the Tennessean reported Aug. 23.Under the state task force's plan, cold medicines that contain ingredients used to make meth would be taken off store shelves and stored behind the counter. A customer would have to ask a pharmacist for the medication, show identification, and have their name placed in a registry that would alert law enforcement to possible patterns of misuse.
The task force also recommended tougher penalties for meth-related crimes, funding for prevention education and to help children exposed to fumes from meth labs, and more long-term residential care for those addicted to meth.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, 75 percent of the seized meth labs in the Southeast are in Tennessee.
Bredesen said he would study the recommendations before proposing any legal changes.
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