Menomonie, WI -- U.S. Senator Russ Feingold today called for passage of the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act of 1999, new legislation he is cosponsoring to fight the increase in methamphetamine use and manufacturing in western Wisconsin.

"Reports earlier this year that several Wisconsin counties, including St. Croix County, had an increase in methamphetamine cases is just part of the disturbing rise in meth manufacturing and use in the Midwest," Feingold said. "Meth is inexpensive to make using household ingredients and farm chemicals, and known to sometimes induce violent behavior in those who use it," Feingold continued. "In a nutshell, meth means trouble for Wisconsin law enforcement and for our communities."

Feingold is a cosponsor of the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act of 1999 (S. 486), a bipartisan bill to enhance the ability of state and federal law enforcement agencies to fight the manufacture, distribution and use of meth. The bill would provide additional funding for law enforcement training on meth investigations and meth lab clean up; provide funding for hiring new agents to assist state and local law enforcement, a provision that would benefit rural, small and mid-sized communities; provide needed resources for meth abuse prevention and treatment; and make it a federal crime to steal or transport stolen anhydrous ammonia across state lines intending or knowing it will be used to produce a controlled substance -- a provision to protect farmers who have been the victims of theft of anhydrous ammonia, which is an ingredient in methamphetamine.

"While methamphetamine is not yet as widely available in Wisconsin as it is in other parts of the region, the spread of this dangerous drug throughout neighboring states suggests that Wisconsin is at risk for the proliferation of meth unless swift action is taken at the federal, state and local level," Feingold said. "The Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act of 1999 can help Wisconsin law enforcement fight and prevent this dangerous drug from taking root in our communities."

Feingold's 49th Listening Session of 1999, and the 481st since he was first elected in 1992, was held at the Dunn County Judicial Center, beginning at 7:45 a.m. Feingold's 50th session of 1999, and 482nd since he was first elected, was held at the Village of Baldwin Municipal Building beginning at 10:45 a.m. Feingold renewed his pledge to hold sessions in all of the state's 72 counties every year after keeping his promise to do so during his last term.