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| Wilson-Cosponsored Anti-Meth Efforts Slated for House Vote |
November 17, 2005 |
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| Anti-Meth Measures Included in Patriot Act Conference Report
Albuquerque, NM - Congresswoman Heather Wilson today welcomed tough new anti-meth legislation that is scheduled for a House vote tomorrow as part of the Patriot Act conference report, on which Wilson served as a conferee.
Two anti-meth bills, both cosponsored by Congresswoman Wilson, have been combined and included in the Patriot Act conference report which is scheduled for a vote Friday. The provisions from the Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act (H.R. 3889) and the Combat Meth Act of 2005 (H.R. 314) strongly step up the federal effort to stem the use and sale of methamphetamine throughout the country, and will allow New Mexico law enforcement to compete for grants to improve training, equipment and meth lab clean-up in drug hot spots.
“Unlike other illegal drugs which travel across our borders, we can’t stop meth by shutting down the border. Battling meth means controlling the availability of ingredients,” said Wilson.
The legislation tightens access to key ingredients by requiring that pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine be kept in locked cabinets or behind the counter, and require purchasers to show ID and sign a log book. It lowers the amount of pseudoephedrine that could be purchased in a day from 9 grams to 3.6 grams. Pseudoephedrine is a key ingredient in meth, which is made through a concoction of common household chemicals. The legislation also strengthens reporting requirements for importing pseudoephedrine.
The legislation would also toughen federal penalties against drug traffickers and smugglers, and penalties for cooking or dealing the drug in the presence of children. Law enforcement statistics show that more than 30 percent of the time, children are at the scene of a drug bust.
The bill authorizes local and state grants for “hot spots” on the front lines of the effort against meth. New Mexico is a battleground state in the efforts against methamphetamine, which plagues rural areas, and is prevalent in the four corners region of the West.
On November 9, 2005, the U.S. House of Representatives also passed support for anti-meth and related enforcement efforts in the Commerce, Justice and State Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2862) by a vote of 397-19. That legislation, which awaits the Preisdent’s signature, includes $1.68 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), establishment of a Methamphetamine Task Force within the DEA, $63.5 million in funds nationally for anti-meth initiatives and local grants, $20 million for DEA to assist State and local law enforcement with site clean up, technical assistance and purchase of equipment, and $478 million for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program.
Background on Methamphetamine
It`s harmful.
While its use is hidden, the results are not. Methamphetamine is extremely detrimental to people and the surrounding environment. Harmful long-term effects of methamphetamine include bone loss, malnutrition, liver, kidney and lung damage and psychiatric problems.
It`s available.
Methamphetamine is most prevalent in rural areas and in the Four Corners region of the West. There is no single profile for a methamphetamine user. Nationally, 8 percent of 11th-graders report having used amphetamines or crystal meth.
It`s costly.
The clean up for a meth site can range from $1,500 to $250,000, depending on the contamination. The residue from a previous use of toxic chemicals often remains in homes where new families reside. Producing a pound of methamphetamine causes an estimated five-to-seven pounds of toxic waste. The pollution is spread through streams, septic systems and surface water run-off.
It`s widely used.
Methamphetamine is second only to marijuana as the most widely used illicit drug. While it is particularly prevalent in the western United States, the materials to make it are legally sold, making enforcement difficult.
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