Congressman Mike Sodrel

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Meth & Illicit Drugs

Protecting Communities and Children from the Dangers of Methamphetamines

U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel is actively directing attention to the growing problems and dangers associated with the abuse and production of methamphetamine. As a Member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, Rep. Sodrel is focused on advancing strong public policy to fight against methamphetamine manufacturing, distribution, and use while involving state and community leaders in developing the means to address this complex problem.

What is Methamphetamine?

· It is a synthetic stimulant that is produced and sold illegally in pill form, capsules, powder, and chunks.

· Methamphetamine stimulates the central nervous system and the effects may last anywhere from 8 to 24 hours.

· Two forms of meth are crank and ice.

o Crank refers to any form of methamphetamine.

o Ice is a crystallized smokeable chunk form of meth that produces a more intense reaction than cocaine or speed.

Why do people choose meth over other illegal drugs?

· It is easy to make and it is cheaper than many other illegal drugs.

o The recipe to manufacture the drug can be obtained over the Internet.

o Many of the ingredients are common household products such as over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines, iodine, ammonia, starter fluid, drain cleaner, and rubbing alcohol.

Who is using meth?

· According to the National Association of Counties, meth users are generally high school and college age students, white and blue collar workers, and the unemployed in the age ranges between 20s and 30s in rural and emerging urban areas.

· Meth use is equally divided between males and females, and although use is increasing in Hispanic and Native American communities, it has largely been confined to majority white communities.

Where are meth labs found?

· The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) estimates that more than 68% of all meth labs are located in ordinary homes in rural and residential areas, making these labs very difficult for police to detect.

What are some effects of meth use?

· Methamphetamine can cause convulsions, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, and hyperthermia. Chronic use can lead to irreversible brain and heart damage, psychotic behavior including paranoid ideation, visual and auditory hallucinations, and rages and violence. Withdrawal from the drug can induce paranoia, depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

What actions are being taken by Congress?

· Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act, H.R. 798

o The bill charges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with coming up with voluntary guidelines for cleaning up meth labs and establishing a research program on the major questions about environmental contamination from meth to help develop the guidelines.

o H.R. 798 calls on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help develop test kits for states and localities to use to identify meth labs.

o Authorizes annual appropriations from fiscal year (FY) 2006 through FY 2009 of $3 million for EPA and $1.5 million for NIST.

o Passed the House on December 13, 2005.

· PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act

o Severely regulates precursor chemicals and to impose much heightened penalties on Methamphetamine manufacture and dealing.

o Retail sales of drug products that contain methamphetamine precursor chemicals are limited to no more that 3.6 grams of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine per person per day. Likewise, regulated sellers are prohibited from selling such products in non-liquid form (including gel caps) "unless the product is packaged in blister packs.

o The President signed this bill into law on March 9, 2006.

· Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act, H.R. 4437

o It is estimated between 65% and 80% of all methamphetamine consumed in the United States is smuggled into the country from Mexico.

§ Anyone who is in the United States illegally and commits a drug trafficking offense will be fined and sentenced to not less than 5 years in prison.

o The bill passed in the House on December 16, 2005.