Bill Passes U.S. House To Protect Children & First Responders From Methamphetamine

Press Release

Bill Passes U.S. House To Protect Children & First Responders From Methamphetamine

Congressman David Wu is helping communities across Oregon clean up methamphetamine labs and the toxic mess they leave behind. With Congressman Wu's support, H.R. 365, the Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act of 2007, passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. H.R. 365 originated in the U.S. House Science and Technology Committee of which Congressman Wu is a member.

"Methamphetamine abuse and production creates havoc in our local communities, and unlike other drug epidemics, methamphetamine production also leaves toxic waste sites wherever it has been made," said Congressman Wu. "Oregon has been especially active in developing guidelines for the clean-up of former methamphetamine labs. However, there is no good health-based data to guide that process. This bill will provide all states with the additional information needed to protect the health of children and current and future residents."

Oregon has made significant progress in fighting the methamphetamine epidemic, but according to the Oregon State Police, a need remains for clean-up standards. Local law enforcement officers who do the initial clean-up and owners of the property who do the secondary clean-up need to know what steps should be taken to ensure the site is safe for future residents and neighbors.

H.R. 365 provides the research structure for the development of health-based clean-up guidelines. It also provides for a study of the long-term health effects on children found in methamphetamine labs and law enforcement officers who enter labs. Finally, it provides for the development of technologies to detect methamphetamine labs, emphasizing field test kits for law enforcement.

H.R. 365 now will go to the Senate for consideration.

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