Conrad Fights Spread of Meth Epidemic

Conrad Fights Spread of Meth Epidemic

Senator Chairs Special Senate Field Hearing at NDSU on Deadly Drug

Senator Kent Conrad convened a special field hearing of the U.S. Senate Budget Committee at North Dakota State University today to discuss ways to fight the spread of methamphetamine use in North Dakota and across the United States.

"Meth abuse is spreading like wildfire and we need to respond," Senator Conrad said. "Congress needs to better understand that this deadly drug spreading across America has become a national epidemic. That's why today's hearing is so important. I intend to share the testimonies and stories I've heard today with my colleagues in Congress. They need to know how meth is devastating lives and destroying our communities."

Senator Conrad, the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, chaired the field hearing in response to cuts in federal programs combating the spread of meth. Among those testifying at the hearing were, Drew Wrigley, U.S. Attorney, Wayne Stenehjem, North Dakota Attorney General, Keith Ternes, Interim Police Chief, Fargo, and Karin Walton, Program Director of the North Dakota University System Consortium for Substance Abuse Prevention.

"Clearly, preventing drug use and the related consequences is not something that any one entity can handle alone," Walton testified. "There need to be resources available to continue efforts that have been successful in North Dakota in reducing access to products that contribute to the manufacturing of meth, increase law enforcement to support penalties for possession, and the development of affordable treatment."

At today's hearing, Senator Conrad called for Congress to pass his Combat Meth Act. This bill focuses on providing millions of additional dollars for law enforcement and imposing national restrictions on the sale of pseudoephedrine — a key ingredient in meth commonly found in cold medicine. The Senate approved this legislation last year, and Senator Conrad is seeking full approval by Congress. Currently, the Combat Meth Act has 48 co-sponsors in the Senate.

"It is crucial that we pass the Combat Meth Act, so we can coordinate local, state and federal agencies to fight trafficking of this deadly drug," Senator Conrad said.

Senator Conrad recently helped establish the Senate Anti-Meth Caucus, a bi-partisan group of Senators dedicated to stopping the spread of meth.

The specific provisions of the Combat Meth Act include:

Provide an additional $15 million under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to train law enforcement: This funding will provide state and local law enforcement resources to investigate and prosecute methamphetamine offenders.

Expand the methamphetamine "hot spots" program: This program will make funds available for personnel and equipment for enforcement, prosecution and environmental clean-up.

Provide $5 million to hire additional federal prosecutors and train local prosecutors in state and federal meth laws.

Cross-designate local prosecutors as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys: This provision allows local prosecutors to bring legal action against cooks and traffickers in federal courts under tougher guidelines.

Restrict the sale of necessary ingredient to make meth: The nationwide initiative will amend the Controlled Substances Act to limit and record the sale of medicines containing pseudoephedrine by placing them behind the pharmacy counter.

Set a limit of 7.5 grams/month: This initiative limits the amount of products — such as cold medicines — used to make meth a person can buy and also requires his or her signature and identification to purchase them.

Provide $5 million for states and businesses that legally sell ingredients used to cook meth with resources to monitor purchases of methamphetamine precursors.

Provide $5 million in grant funding for Drug Endangered Children rapid response teams to promote collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies to assist and educate children that have been affected by the production of meth.

Authorize $13 million to enhance treatment options: This funding will create the Methamphetamine Research, Training and Technical Assistance Center, which will research effective treatments for meth abuse and disseminate information.

Create alternate procedures for stores without pharmacies and stores in rural areas: The DEA and States will now be able to develop additional procedures to continue to allow cold medicine that meet security criteria to be sold at retail stores without pharmacies and in rural areas.

Establish a uniform federal standard that strengthens all existing state laws by allowing states the authority to determine appropriate penalties.

Some general facts regarding meth are:

Methamphetamine is an addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system and has a high potential for abuse and addiction. Use of meth can result in strokes, heart attacks and psychotic and violent behavior.

Meth Labs: Meth is easily made in home laboratories with commonly-found ingredients such as anhydrous ammonia, found on farms; pseudoephedrine, found in cold medicines; and red phosphorous, the substance on the tip of a matchstick. In 1997, one meth lab in North Dakota was seized. That number steadily increased to 297 in 2003. In 2005, the number of meth labs busted decreased to 190.

Meth Trafficking: It is estimated that 95% of meth trafficked into North Dakota comes from outside of the state.

Arrests involving meth: During the 2003 fiscal year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made 5,766 arrests for meth, representing more than one-fifth of all DEA drug arrests. Capt. Al Hanson of the Minot Police Department recently estimated that more than 60 percent of the inmates now in the State Penitentiary and the Ward County Jail are there because of meth.

Meth abuse among children: According to the 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 11.7 million Americans ages 12 and older have tried meth at least once. In addition, a recent survey by the National Association of Counties found that 54% of responding counties in North Dakota reported a growth in out-of-home placements of children because of meth in 2005.

Treatment: The number of people seeking treatment for meth abuse in the U.S. increased from 20,776 in 1993 to 116,604 in 2003. In 2005, 22% of those treated at private ND drug treatment centers had problems related to meth.

http://conrad.senate.gov/~conrad/releases/06/01/2006117B24.html