Gutknecht Applauds Passage of National Drug Control Policy Office Reauthorization

Gutknecht Applauds Passage of National Drug Control Policy Office Reauthorization

March 9, 2006

Washington, DC - Congressman Gil Gutknecht (MN-01) today voted in favor of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Reauthorization Act that reaffirms the ONDCP's role in the fight against illegal drug use. HR 2829 passed the house by an overwhelming majority.

"This bill is the result of work we have done on the Government Reform Committee Criminal Justice subcommittee, including testimony heard at a field hearing in Minnesota on methamphetamine last June," said Gutknecht. "Local officials like state Senator Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) brought many issues to our attention that were included in the final bill, including an Internet Meth Clearing House to provide current information on meth and to facilitate information sharing among federal and local officials."

The bill is designed to improve the effectiveness of federal drug interdiction, prevention, and treatment initiatives. It strengthens ONDCP efforts to address the meth epidemic and requires it to place greater emphasis on developing strategies to address this problem.

The ONDCP is tasked with establishing policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation's drug control program. The goals of the program are to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences. To learn more about ONDCP, log on to www.ondcp.gov.

Gutknecht is the Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry, Vice Chairman of the House Science Committee, and a member of the House Government Reform Committee.

http://www.gil.house.gov/Newsroom/Press/2006/MAR/030906gr.htm