TBI requiring more specific meth lab reporting

“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 this year. Agencies must now report the number of clandestine meth labs in their required monthly crime reports to the state as a separate number.

“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 only includes information on the eight 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 eight crimes, the tracking of stats on other crimes varies from location to location. Tennessee has one of the most comprehensive tracking systems.

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

Some federal agencies attempt to track meth lab numbers, but those stats 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 that 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.

Officials handling meth problem with new initiatives
A glance at how state officials are handling methamphetamine:

LEGISLATION — Gov. Phil Bredesen successfully pushed this year for anti-meth legislation. Under the new law, certain kinds of cold pills must remain behind pharmacy counters. Part of the law was copied from initiatives in Oklahoma, where lawmakers said they saw a big decrease after the laws passed.

EDUCATION — State employees, including teachers, transportation employees and law enforcement, have undergone training sessions to learn more about how to identify meth use.

REPORTING — Law enforcement agencies must now report the number of clandestine meth labs in their required monthly crime reports to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

FUNDING — The state is scheduled to receive $17.8 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to aid in the fight against meth. Funds will be used to expand access to treatment for adults with substance abuse problems.

Source: MethFreeTennessee.org