DEA Assessment:

The availability and demand for methamphetamine continues to increase throughout Tennessee. Much of the methamphetamine consumed in the state is transported from Mexico and states along the Southwest Border. Methamphetamine use and abuse is anticipated to increase in Tennessee as the drug gains popularity over crack cocaine.20 The occurrence of clandestine methamphetamine labs has increased 20.5% from 2007-2008. (1)

Methamphetamine Use among High School Students:

3.0% of students (approximately 2,208 students) reported using methamphetamine one or more times during their life. (2)

Drug Offenses:

In 2008 there were 136 meth-related arrests; 24.2% of all drug cases in TN. (1)

There was 140.6 kg of methamphetamine seized in 2010. (3)

Lab Incidents:

There were 1,199 lab incidents in 2010. (4)

There were 232 children endangered by meth labs in 2010. (5)

Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse: (6)

338 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2009;

3.3% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.

For additional percentages giving the breakdown of age at admission, race, ethnicity, and sex please Click Here

Legislation:

Has PSE Tracking Law (7)

HB 181 and SB 561

(a) Except as provided in this section, any product or products that contain any immediate methamphetamine precursor may be dispensed only by a licensed pharmacy upon presentment of a valid prescription issued by a licensed physician, certified physician assistant, or nurse authorized pursuant to § 63-6-204, who is rendering service under the supervision, control and responsibility of a licensed physician and who meets the requirements pursuant to § 63-7-207.

On April 12, 2011, HB 181 was heard and on April 26, 2011, SB 561 was heard. No status updates or pending action is listed at this time on either bill. (8)

Senator Mae Beavers (R – Mount Juliet) and Representative Debra Maggart (R – Hendersonville) introduced legislation [SB 325/HB 234] today that calls for the adoption of a statewide, industry-funded electronic tracking system, called NPLEx (the National Precursor Log Exchange), to monitor and stop illicit purchases of over-the-counter cold and allergy products containing pseudoephedrine (PSE), an ingredient sometimes used to illegally manufacture methamphetamine. The bill provides an alternative, less-intrusive solution to the prescription-only bill (HB 181) introduced last week… The NPLEx system would be fully integrated into Tennessee pharmacy systems by January 1, 2012.  (9)

House Bill 288 and Senate Bill 332 Summary

As introduced, makes materials containing any quantity of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine a Schedule III controlled substance and exempts immediate methamphetamine precursors if they are not in form that can be used in manufacture of methamphetamine. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40. (10)

1. ONDCP: State of Tennessee: Profile of Drug Indicators. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/statelocal/tn/tn.pdf
2.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Youth Online: High School YRBS. Available: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/YouthOnline/App/Default.aspx
3. National Meth Center; State Resources. Available: http://www.nationalmethcenter.org/STATES.html
4. Total of All Meth Clandestine Laboratory Incidents Including Labs, Dumpsite, Chem/Glass/Equipment. Available: http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/meth_lab_maps/2010.jpg
5. MethResources.gov; State Resources. Available:   http://www.methresources.gov/Index.html
6.  Treatment Admissions Data. Avaialbe: http://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/tedsweb/tab_year.choose_year_web_table?t_state=TN
7. PSE Tracking Law. Avaialble: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/map-meth-by-state/
8. House Bill 181. Available: http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/view/245597
9. http://www2.tricities.com/news/2011/feb/03/tennessee-legislators-introduce-legislation-help-f-ar-818764/
10. H.B. 288 and S.B. 322. Available: http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/view/254558