Curtiss named to governor’s meth task force
Amidst a growing epidemic, Gov. Phil Bredesen has formed a special task force to study the methamphetamine problem in Tennessee.
The task force, to be made up of 20 members, mostly consisting of representatives from various state departments and agencies, along with 12 advisors, will investigate the meth problem in Tennessee and report its findings to the governor. The task force will include members of law enforcement, medical and pharmaceutical experts, and members of state government. One local legislator, 43rd District state Rep. Charles Curtiss, has been named to the task force.
Establishing the task force comes as attempts to pass effective meth legislation were tabled this year, partly due to a $7.5 million pricetag. State Rep. Judd Matheny said he fears hesitation in addressing the problem will only give the drug another year to spread further across the state. A former lawman, Matheny has worked to educate his fellow legislators on the problem.
Gov. Bredesen agreed with the seriousness of the problem, noting the Drug Enforcement Agency estimates 75 percent of meth lab seizures in the Southeast are made in Tennessee. Bredesen also said the Department of Children’s Services has reported a sharp increase in the number of children placed into protective custody as result of meth seizures.
Sheriff Jackie Matheny said the problem is especially amplified in Warren County where most crime revolves around meth.
“Meth is related one way or another with about 80 percent of crime here,” Matheny said. “This can range anywhere from having labs or selling the drug, to thefts and break-ins committed by users. Something needs to be done because this is a growing problem that isn’t going away.”
District Attorney General Dale Potter said he hopes the task force will help provide some help with the meth epidemic. Part of the original plan in the meth bill which was tabled was to increase the amount of jail time meth dealers would face.
“Hopefully something useful will come out of the task force,” Potter said, noting his office prosecutes scores of meth cases every year.
The exact time of the task force’s report has not been set. The group will begin its meeting April 27.
Other legislators serving on the task force include Sen. Charlotte Burks, D-Monterey, Sen. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, and Rep. Les Winningham, D-Huntsville.