Pubdate: Fri, 07 May 2004
Source: McAlester News-Capital & Democrat (OK)
Copyright: McAlester News-Capital & Democrat 2004
Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=139068&BRD=1126
Website: http://www.mcalesternews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1892
Author: James Beaty
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CARSON ROLLS OUT NEW ANTI-METH LEGISLATION

Second District Congressman Brad Carson says he's introduced legislation to 
help communities hit by the methamphetamine epidemic because "it's the 
state's number one law enforcement problem.

"Our jails are filled because of it; it's ripping apart families," Carson 
said this morning.

Carson introduced the Rural Safety and Law Enforcement Act in Congress this 
week.

If the bill passes, it will provide funds and federal resources for what 
Carson considers a comprehensive approach to the methamphetamine problem - 
law enforcement, education, prevention and treatment.

Carson, who is running for the U.S. Senate, is hopeful congress will pass 
the bill.

"Methamphetamine is in California. It's in Texas and the Midwest," Carson 
said. "These things are never easy, but I think there's momentum to do 
something about methamphetamine."

Carson noted that not only people jailed on methamphetamine-related charges 
are affected by the drug.

"I've spoken with a lot of sheriffs," Carson said. "A lot of them said if 
it wasn't for methamphetamine, they wouldn't have anybody in jail."

He said methamphetamine contributes to everything from burglaries to child 
abuse.

Carson's bill will enhance the Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) 
program. It would give rural communities a chance to obtain federal grants 
for officers and equipment to help in the battle against methamphetamine.

Carson believes the education, prevention and treatment part of the bill is 
also important. It includes a pilot program to set up substance abuse 
treatment facilities in rural communities.

Funding for prevention education would be made through local community 
organizations.

Carson's bill does not have a dollar figure attached to it at this point.

"We're sending it down to the Congressional Budget Office," Carson said. 
The estimated cost of funding the provision in the bill should soon be 
available, he said. 
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