Washington, D.C. - Throughout the 15th Congressional District, the spread of methamphetamine is a creeping and chilling scourge upon the residents and resources of our rural areas.

To help thwart this insidious threat to our communities and to those who abuse this drug, Rep. Tim Johnson, R-IL, has joined with a bipartisan coalition of legislators as a co-sponsor of a new initiative called the Clean-Up of Methamphetamine Act.

"The use of methamphetamine was growing when I took office and it has continued to mushroom throughout our rural areas in the years since," Rep. Johnson. "The consequences are deep and far-reaching, and I fear the users in particular have no clue to the dangers of this highly addictive and devastating drug."

Area sheriffs in particular praised the federal effort, and any other efforts, to bolster their fight against the drug.  Champaign County Sheriff Dan Walsh said that in three years in office, he's seen the drug creep steadily north from Southern Illinois.  "In 2000, we had a handful of meth cases. Now it's 40-to-50. It's gotten to the point some fertilizer dealers don't even call us with theft reports it's become so commonplace."

Likewise, in Coles County, Sheriff Ron Scott said at any given time, fully half to three-fourths of his jail population is made up of people arrested on meth-related charges.  "It's not just the use of it, although people don't seem to realize how it just tears up your body, muscles, brains, you name it," Scott said. "It's burglaries, thefts, domestic violence. One or two times and people get hooked. It's poison and it's ruining a lot of lives."

The federal legislation, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-MN, seeks an authorization of $124 million for a wide range of initiatives. Among the highlights, the legislation:

* Permits the designation of certain byproducts of the methamphetamine production process as hazardous and expands penalties against laboratory operators.

* Provides grants to state and local law enforcement for specified training and equipment acquisition.

* Provides grants for cleaning up meth-contaminated lands, educating students of the dangers of meth and treating children suffering from the effects of meth.

Methamphetamine, commonly called "meth," is a homemade amphetamine made from common, easily accessible materials: antifreeze, white gas, ether, starting fluids, Freon, lye, paint thinner, acetone and ephedrine or cold pills.

Harmful long-term effects of meth include bone loss, malnutrition, liver, kidney and lung damage and psychiatric problems. The effects impact more than users. Individuals, especially children who are exposed to toxic chemicals can also develop severe respiratory, neural and related health problems. According to the National Association of Counties, in at least 70 percent of all meth arrests, there is a child living in the home.

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