by Scott Arnold
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Could efforts to expand the state's meth registry end up stopping you from buying cold medicine? These concerns were raised Tuesday as lawmakers try to fight Tennessee's billion dollar meth problem.
Tennessee has a meth registry if you're busted for a meth related crime you are put on this list. It's a list that lawmakers want to expand.
"We found out that there are some meth offenses that are left off of the registry, so we are just simply trying to add those," said State Sen. Mae Beavers.
It all sounds simple enough. Expand the registry. Stop more people from making meth. Put a dent in a billion dollar problem.
But there's a slight snag brought up by Senator Tim Barnes in a committee hearing on Tuesday.
If another man by the name of Tim Barnes is on the meth registry it may stop Senator Barnes from buying cold medicine.
"There are many other Tim Barnes' in the state of Tennessee -- one of them may be on the offender registry and we just want to make sure that everyone is protected from those who share the same name and maybe confused with it when they buy their Sudafed," Senator Barnes said.
The pharmacist cannot access the meth registry online, other than the pharmacist calling the clerk of courts during business hours, so there is no way for customers to prove they are not a meth offender.
This snag could stop honest customers from buying cold medicine with pseudoephedrine, the key ingredient used to make meth. It's all because every pharmacy in Tennessee is now connected to a computer system that tracks pseudoephedrine sales, and is linked to the meth registry.
Right now, only 2,800 people are on the registry. That number is expected to skyrocket if the list of offenses expands.
State lawmakers are searching for a solution to this problem. They will meet again next week. Right now offenders are put on the meth registry if they are busted for making, selling, or delivering meth. Expanding the registry would mean if a person was caught with the tools to make meth they would go on it as well.
email: sarnold@newschannel5.com
