Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program, administered by the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), furthers the Department's mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in improving the criminal justice system and assisting communities in preventing drug abuse and crime. In fiscal year 2007, the Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program will focus on funding local, regional, and national efforts within six major categories: 1) targeting violent crime; 2) preventing crime and drug abuse; 3) enhancing local law enforcement; 4) enhancing local courts; 5) enhancing local corrections and offender reentry; and 6) facilitating justice information sharing. All categories combat, address, or otherwise respond to precipitous or extraordinary increases in crime, or in a type or types of crime.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations will continue the operation of the Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force funded under Category 1: Targeting Violent Crime. The task force includes local sheriffs and police chiefs, the judiciary, district attorneys, state highway patrol, Department of Homeland Defense, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the U.S. Attorney's offices for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Tennessee. The goals of the task force are to: 1) reduce the manufacture, distribution, and use of methamphetamine; 2) accurately collect, analyze, and report unlawful methamphetamine incidents; 3) aggressively target, investigate, and prosecute the most serious offenders and organizations; 4) train law enforcement officers to safely and effectively encounter, process, and dismantle manufacturing sites and residue; and 5) protect the citizens of Tennessee from methamphetamine and educate them about its dangers. Project initiatives include training and supporting certified clan lab officers throughout the state; building and maintaining partnerships with environmental and social service agencies, school officials, health care professionals, community and business leaders, drug treatment professionals, prosecutors, and judges; and accurately collecting, analyzing, and sharing information to measure and effectively address the methamphetamine problem.

CA/NCF