Pharmacies must begin using the database by January 2013 and doctors by April 2013. Before becoming law, registration to the database was voluntary with roughly one third of doctors participating.
Anti-Meth Bill — This bill combats the growing problem of methamphetamine manufacturing. Below are key provisions of the law, many of which take effect July 1:
- makes such sales information readily available to law enforcement;
- makes it easier to prosecute those who make multiple purchases of pseudo-ephedrine products at different times and places for the purpose of exceeding the acceptable amount, or through use of false identification;
- enforces minimum mandatory fines on offenders
Bath Salts Bill
— The law increases penalties for persons who manufacture, deliver, sell, or possess with the intent to sell, deliver, or manufacture an imitation controlled substance commonly known as bath salts. The law closes a loophole that had allowed makers of the drug to make minor changes to their recipes in order to skirt the law.
Drug Courts — Governor Haslam has transferred the Drug Court programs from the Department of Finance and Administration (F & A) to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) effective July 1, 2012. The transfer of drug courts to TDMHSAS is meant to lessen duplication of effort and align with the department’s role as the substance abuse authority in the state.
Drug courts were established as an alternative to jails and prisons and are designed to foster recovery. For many arrested on drug-related offenses, prison is not the answer, and research has shown treatment costs are lower than costs associated with incarceration. Drug courts refer clients to substance abuse community agencies that provide intervention and treatment services, which are funded, contracted and licensed by
TDMHSAS.
Penalties for DUI — The law increases penalty for violation of DUI statute when child under 18 is in the vehicle to require that the mandatory minimum 30-day sentence for this offense be served consecutive to any sentence received for a violation of specified other alcohol-related offenses.
(Some Information from the TAADAS Times Summer Newsletter, DUI information provided by Christopher Rogers)
