Measure Confronts Growing Number of Meth Lab Seizures in Louisville

(Washington, DC) Today, Representative John Yarmuth (KY-3) voted to respond to the escalating methamphetamine problem in Louisville and across the country.  H.R. 365, which passed the House of Representatives 421-2, requires the Environmental Protection Agency to develop guidelines for cleaning toxic residue from seized meth labs, authorizes the National Institute of Technology to initiate a research program to develop meth detection equipment for field use, and calls for a study by the National Academy of Sciences on the long-term health impacts on children taken from meth labs and first responders exposed to meth labs.

Meth use and production has become increasingly problematic in Louisville, recently.  In 2004, authorities identified 27 meth labs in the city.  That number that more than doubled in 2006 and is on pace to triple for 2007. 

Nearly one in five meth labs are discovered after they cause fires or explosions, which can result in injuries or death for meth producers, area families, and first responders.  The new detection equipment will identify the labs sooner, preventing many of these disasters and saving lives.

After a meth lab is seized, methamphetamine and other toxic residues are left behind.  The dangerous and hidden substances pollute the septic and water systems, threatening the health of area families – with children being the most vulnerable to the devastating, long-term effects of exposure.

“There’s no quick fix to the drug problems facing Louisville,” said Yarmuth, one of the bill’s cosponsors, “but this measure goes a long way toward protecting innocent lives and identifying those who are poisoning our community.  I am proud of this legislation and look forward to pursuing subsequent measures to curb local and national drug abuse.”

The provisions in the bill have received support from the following groups:

• the National Association of Counties;
• the National Sheriff’s Association;
• the Fraternal Order of Police;
• the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition;
• the National Association of Realtors;
• the National Multihousing Council; and
• the National Apartment Association.

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