MORAN ANNOUNCES FEDERAL MEASURES TO FIGHT METHAMPHETAMINE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran today announced passage of the broadest anti-methamphetamine measures ever passed by Congress. The legislation sets a federal standard for addressing meth on all levels across the country.  

"Meth is destroying lives, families and communities - the lifeblood of rural America," Moran said. "Though it has been on the radar screen for years, this legislation takes a big picture approach to combating this dangerous drug from every angle, including production, trafficking and usage."

Provisions of this legislation will:

• Restrict the sale of necessary ingredients to make meth - Restricts sale of medicines containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine (PPA) by placing them behind the counter, requiring purchasers to show identification and sign a logbook, and limiting individual purchases.
• Toughen criminal penalties - Toughens federal penalties against trafficking and smuggling, as well as producing or dealing meth in the presence of children.
• Provide critical resources to government and law enforcement agencies - Provides funding for training, enforcement, prosecution and environmental clean-up.
• Provide services for children affected by the spread of meth - Provides grant funding for Drug Endangered Children rapid response teams to promote collaboration among federal, state and local agencies to assist and educate children that have been affected by meth.

Moran helped bring attention to meth on the national level last year when he joined other members of Congress in asking President Bush and the Administration to take action. He has also sponsored legislation designed to aid local officials and law enforcement in the clean-up of meth labs.

In 2005, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation reported Kansas law enforcement officials seized 390 meth labs. Kansas has historically been among the top states in the nation in number of meth lab seizures. Moran is a member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine.

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