Question regarding the METH. problems. (Knoxville, Johnson City: insurance, crime, day care)

[where_to_move]

I have read a lot of people mentioning that METH is a problem "TN is the SE capitol for METH" etc.......but my question is....do you notice it? Is it in the high schools? Or is this something everyone just knows about b/c of the news or do you see this in your own towns? We are thinking of living in Knoxville suburbs like Farragut, Maryville, Oak Ridge...would there be a concern there?

The reason I ask, where I currently live, I have no idea what "drug" is popular & I even work as a physician...so I know a few patients who have addictions, but not one is more than the other...so that makes me concerned that either 1: TN has way too much drugs or 2: the people on these forums, are well informed with the news etc........
Thanks in advance (TIA)

[keely600rr]

Originally Posted by where_to_move

I have read a lot of people mentioning that METH is a problem "TN is the SE capitol for METH" etc.......but my question is....do you notice it? Is it in the high schools? Or is this something everyone just knows about b/c of the news or do you see this in your own towns? We are thinking of living in Knoxville suburbs like Farragut, Maryville, Oak Ridge...would there be a concern there?

The reason I ask, where I currently live, I have no idea what "drug" is popular & I even work as a physician...so I know a few patients who have addictions, but not one is more than the other...so that makes me concerned that either 1: TN has way too much drugs or 2: the people on these forums, are well informed with the news etc........
Thanks in advance (TIA)

I work in law enforcement as a govt. contractor and provide equipment and training for meth lab decontamination.

I live in GA so I cant speak specifically about TN, however the meth problem in general is quickly becoming an epidemic. I would say it is somewhat noticeable here in GA as you sometimes see people in the supermarket who are clearly abusers of this toxic drug.

I wouldnt NOT move to a knoxville suburb because of Meth. However I would do a lot of research and talk to as many people to help avoid buying a home in a potential area that has a blatantly visible meth problem.

Hope that helps

[jmarkey]

I know Anderson County (which includes Oak Ridge) has quite a few offenders listed on the Meth Offenders website. Heading out to the grocery store my second day here, I saw one of the Anderson County mobile meth labs. I wondered what that was all about and upon doing some Googling, found a couple of surprises - that TN was one of the top five states with a meth manufacturing problem and that Anderson county was one of the problem areas.

If I hadn't dug up information, I'd never have a clue there was a problem like that in this area. However, I don't head out into the boonies. I did end up in one of the outlying areas by accident (don't want to say where - I have no desire to offend the people living there). I couldn't get turned around and out of there quick enough. I suspect areas farther out are a lot more of a problem than the more populated towns you mentioned.

We've been here six months, spending most of our time around Clinton, Oak Ridge, and Knoxville. These areas seem very safe and I've never seen any signs of a huge meth problem, though I don't doubt it exists.

[msrascal]

I am new to this forum and I have many questions about TN. I am a second generation native Floridian, and like a lot of other Floridians, am sick of FL and the high insurance and tax costs. I am looking at some property outside of Spring City. Does anyone know if this are has a Meth problem? I wouldn't know what to look for, actually. Thanks!

[Jim280]

http://www.dea.gov/pubs/states/tennessee.html

This link has a good article from the DEA about the METH problem in TN.

[insanesmooch]

The meth list for TN is at:
http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/methor/

It shows 3 right now. I know from at least January to May there were two cases reported on the new where people were in trouble for Meth. Those two are not on the list- probably because it is too early for the cases to be settled through court.
There were recent reports saying that meth making is down now that we have the law that puts cold medicine behind the pharmacy counter. But it said people were importing it from other states more now. I think the article was in the Johnson City Press if you want to look it up.
I don't really think it is any more of a problem than other drugs; it just gets more attention because it is newer than other drugs and can be made easily.

[jmarkey]

From the time I started checking the Meth Offenders site, Anderson County consistently has more people listed than Knox County. As you said, Insane, Knox currently has three. Anderson has 12. That bothered me initially, but I really don't come across anyone who appears to be a meth head. At least not to the point where it shows physically.

Also, I don't hear a lot about drug-related crime in this area, such as robberies or break ins for goodies to sell. The PA area we lived in was a crash course in smash and grab and home invasions to support drug habits. Even the GA area where my daughter lives has a fair amount of drug related crime. Considering the numbers for Anderson County compared to other counties, I thought it would be more of a problem.

And I think it IS more of a problem than other drugs, because it's so easy to manufacture. Though this is strictly the opinion of an old bag who may not be totally up to date on things.

[hiknapster]

We live in the middle of the country. Right on the edge of Anderson County, but 15 minutes to downtown Knoxville.

I've been here 14 months and yet to see anything unusual.

I don't know exactly what a meth head would look like, but after living in Florida for ten years I can spot a drug addict from a mile away. We ran into all kinds of fine upstanding people that turned into drug addicts but were good at covering it up.

Haven't seen anything yet. Will let you know if I do!

[SPLIT]

H: I believe the visable way to see long time user is their BLACK Teeth just before they Fall Out. The acid eats them away like a termite into wood.! Yesterday newspaper in region printed GOOD news that fewer Meth Labs were busted around S.E. state cause stricter enforcement. BAD News is that the SUPPLY pipeline is now coming from MEXICO ! This is really a rural America problem , not just a certain Tn county. Users need quick PAWN Money for drugs so dont leave outside NEW 4x4 ATV Quads or stuff can be stolen easy. Guess copper at $3 pound at construction site or church air conditioners were national targets. Last month news report had lady BUSTED who ran children DAY CARE on the same property !

[hiknapster]

Someone put a link on here about the Tenn. gang task force. I checked it out and apparently there is this really bad Hispanic gang that is causing huge problems. Apparently, they are the drug importers. Still I think it said that they arrested 12 of them. I think the cops around here are very good. Much better than Florida!