Lincoln: Funding to Combat Meth is Critical to Rural America

Press Release

Lincoln: Funding to Combat Meth is Critical to Rural America

U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today called our country's methamphetamine epidemic "harmful to rural America" and said that law enforcement dollars are necessary to combat the growing problem faced by rural communities, many of them in Arkansas.

"Arkansas is predominantly rural, and methamphetamine has been identified as our number one drug threat since 2004. From 2000 until 2006, there were over 6,000 toxic or explosive meth labs seized in our state," Lincoln said. "This problem is real, and unfortunately it affects all aspects of our communities-even our children.

"A few years ago, a five year-old boy in Arkansas thought he was taking an innocent sip of a soft drink in his home. However, his mother manufactured meth in the house, and what that young boy thought was a soft drink was actually sulfuric acid. The boy was rushed to the hospital, and luckily he lived. In addition to drinking sulfuric acid, the boy had also been exposed to meth fumes, and sadly he will continue to suffer from learning impairments and other disabilities throughout his life.

"This young boy is not the only innocent victim of meth abuse. Children whose caregivers are meth abusers are often at risk of supervisory and emotional neglect. Children whose mothers used meth during pregnancy have increased chances of health and developmental problems. Children abused by meth users run a high risk of perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Children exposed to meth are more likely to have developmental needs that require additional medical and therapeutic care for years to come.

"Oftentimes, our hospitals have to shoulder an increased financial burden, because they have to treat meth patients who are uninsured. Our rural hospitals, especially, cannot afford to take on these additional costs.

"That is why it is imperative that we make fighting meth a priority in this country. The Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill recently passed by the Senate includes important funding that will help us combat the meth problem in this country. It provides critical resources for the COPS program and the Drug Enforcement Agency that will help them provide grants, training, and technical assistance to state and local law enforcement. These resources are badly needed, especially in rural areas. Meth is a serious problem, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to make fighting this horrible drug a national priority."

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