Senate Passes Herron’s “Meth-Free Tennessee Act”

Nashville – The State Senate today unanimously passed the “Meth-Free Tennessee Act of 2005” sponsored by Senator Roy Herron (D-Dresden) and others and backed by Governor Phil Bredesen.

“Area sheriffs tell me 90% of the crime in our counties comes from meth,” Herron said. “Meth literally is devastating rural communities. The landmark legislation we passed today will save lives and make all of us safer.”

Key provisions include increased criminal penalties for meth makers, making it harder to get meth’s key ingredients, and educating the public about the effects of this horrible drug.

“The Commissioner of the Department of Children’s Services estimates that over 1400 children will be removed from homes with meth labs this year,” Herron said. “Here in our area, I was told recently by a juvenile officer about 8 children being removed from 3 homes in 48 hours because of meth. It’s devastating our families.

“Our legislation is modeled on an Oklahoma law that slashed meth labs by 64%,” Herron said. “The meth war must be won and today we won a major battle.”

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