Posted: 7/28/06
Attorney General Hatch takes issue with Gov. Pawlenty's proposal to create meth trafficker registry
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Creation of an Internet registry of convicted methamphetamine (meth) cookers and traffickers was proposed Thursday (July 27) by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Pawlenty argued establishing the registry was justified as meth has become the drug of choice of many drug abusers.
And it can help Minnesotans protect themselves and their neighborhoods, he said.
"Meth is one of the nastiest, most addictive and most harmful drugs ever to hit Minnesota," said Pawlenty.
Gov. Pawlenty at a press conference proposed creating a registry of meth traffickers.
It's anticipated the Department of Public Safety will have the meth registry online by the end of the year.
No legislative action is needed.
Convicted meth producers and dealers will have their names, charges and convictions dates and locations be placed in the registry along with their photos. Photos may not be available initially.
Currently, more than half of Minnesota's 87 counties download photos to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, according to the administration.
Additionally to creating the registry, Pawlenty ordered the State Patrol to explore innovate ways of catching meth traffickers on the highways.
State officials estimate more than 100 pounds of meth is shipped into the state every month by drug traffickers.
Beyond this, Pawlenty said 10 additional Bureau of Criminal Apprehension anti-meth agents funded last session are being deployed around the state -- to Mankato, Willmar, Moorhead, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Brainerd and Alexandria.
Pawlenty called for other measures.
Attorney General Mike Hatch, DFL gubernatorial candidate, ridiculed the meth registry idea.
"What good is a meth registry going to do," he said at a Capitol press conference. It would just serve as a "Simon Delivers" for meth addicts, Hatch said.
Meth addicts would be the only ones using the site, he opined.
Hatch saw no deterrent affect on posting pictures on the Internet.
What's key in fighting the drug problem is getting more cops on the beats, Hatch opined.
Hatch also called for better treatment of meth addicts, saying addicts shouldn't have to get arrested in order to get treatment.
(Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)
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