Pearce Fight Against Meth Crisis Continues in Washington Today

Press Release

Pearce Fight Against Meth Crisis Continues in Washington Today

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce's fight against New Mexico's meth crisis continued in Washington today as he met with Artesia High School senior and anti-meth activist Mikayla Montoya to discuss her participation in the Presidential Classroom Scholars Program.

A native of Deming, Ms. Montoya is undertaking a unique letter writing campaign to heighten awareness among New Mexico government leaders regarding the depth and extent of the meth crisis among our state's youth. She was inspired to action after attending a meth awareness meeting which Congressman Pearce conducted at her school last fall; one of nearly 40 community and school meetings the 2nd District lawmaker conducted across Southern New Mexico during the 2nd half of 2006.

"It is imperative that our young people take charge in this fight, Rep. Pearce said. "A bright young woman such as Ms. Montoya is a stellar example of what can happen when an individual takes initiative. Utilizing youthful energy to make a difference is something that I feel all of New Mexico's teens should try and accomplish regardless of the medium. I applaud Ms. Montoya's exceptional work and I look forward to supporting her initiative in every manner possible.

When outstanding young people like Ms. Montoya approach me with this kind of determination, I am hopeful that we are beginning to turn the corner in our fight against this deadly scourge. We have many more miles to go, but the steadfast engagement of our communities can bring us ever closer to victory."

Later this afternoon, Congressman Pearce submitted remarks to the Congressional Record expressing his strong support of H.R. 365, the "Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007." This legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 426-2, is designed to address the devastating environmental and health impact which former meth laboratories have left behind.

Following is the text of Congressman Pearce's remarks for the Congressional Record:

Statement on H.R. 365

The Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act

Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 365, the Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act. Methamphetamines represent a tremendous growing threat to the fabric of our society. Last year, I held more than 40 town hall meetings across Southern New Mexico, listening to law enforcement, health officials, recovering addicts, and other experts. Repeatedly, I heard horror stories about whole families destroyed by methamphetamines. It is our duty as members of the United States Congress to protect America from all enemies foreign and domestic. Methamphetamines are one the greatest domestic threats that our nation faces. We must confront its production, its trafficking, its abuse, and its effect on the land itself.

Meth is a problem concentrated in the West and Southwest, but be aware that this great evil is moving across America, and soon no one will be able to say it is not their problem. As meth spreads across our nation it leaves a trail of destroyed lives, families, homes, communities, property and public lands in its wake. H.R. 365 the Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act of 2007 will set needed standards for the clean up of property and public lands destroyed by methamphetamines. Unlike other drugs, the cooking of methamphetamines is hazardous to everything that it touches and can render houses and property uninhabitable. H.R. 365 will address the environmental impact of methamphetamines, and how to recover our properties and lands.

In the Second District of New Mexico half-million dollar homes have been left uninhabitable, and state parks have become unusable. This destruction occurs because of methamphetamine cooking and the dumping of meth related chemicals. I fear that unsuspecting New Mexicans will encounter these environmental hazards and endanger their lives. H.R. 365 The Methamphetamines Research Remediation Act of 2007, will provide communities across America with the proper information and procedures on how to clean up meth labs and reclaim the land they have poisoned.

This bill is the first in many steps we should take to track and fight Meth in our communities, I have introduced H.R. 304 the CLEAN TOWN Act to help in our battle against meth. As we talk about this bill, I hope my colleagues will examine my legislation that has tremendous promise to help change the way we fight drugs and drug dealers. I urge all my colleagues to join me in fighting Meth and help us save America's families.

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