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Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) introduced a bill that will help address the threat of methamphetamine abuse in California’s communities. The METH (Methamphetamine Education, Treatment, and Hope) Act of 2009 will improve identification and prevention of methamphetamine addiction, broaden support for treatment programs targeted to serve pregnant and parenting women, and allocate funding for students to create methamphetamine awareness projects. H.R. 2818 is cosponsored by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R, CA-45).
“Meth use is a critical problem for our area,” said Rep. McNerney. “I introduced this bill because I want the Central Valley to have the resources to fight back against the use of this very harmful substance. Our entire community will be safer for it.”
Cary Martin, Chairperson of the San Joaquin County Mental Health Board, joined Congressman McNerney in applauding the introduction of the bill.
“My thanks to Congressman McNerney for his leadership in helping San Joaquin County fight back against meth use,” said Mr. Martin. “After many years of work in this field, I know how critically important it is that we have the resources to address this problem.”
Specifically, the bill instructs the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services to:
- Collaborate with professionals to raise awareness about how to recognize signs of substance abuse and apply practices for screening and treating individuals with or at-risk for developing an addiction, including addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs.
- Develop a clearinghouse that provides information and educational materials to employers and employees about drug testing policies and programs.
- Grant awards in rural areas that have been determined to have a shortage of mental health professional and/or family-based substance abuse treatment options, and to areas determined to have high rates of addiction to methamphetamine or other drugs.
- Expand, intensify, and coordinate efforts to provide methamphetamine or other drug addiction treatment to pregnant and parenting women.
- Provide resources to develop a student-driven methamphetamine awareness project, such as a public service announcement or an advertisement for radio, television, or print, under adult and professional guidance.
The bill also provides for funding of such programs for 5 fiscal years, beginning with the amount of $20 million in 2010.
According to a 2008 report issued by the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, which references statistics from the Office of Applied Research and Analysis (OARA), California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, over 10,000 people in the San Joaquin Valley were treated for methamphetamine abuse between 2007 and 2008. Over 4,000 of these people were women with minor children.
The bill is now expected to be referred to the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health for further consideration.
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