Pubdate: Fri, 26 Aug 2005
Source: Missourian (MO)
Copyright: Washington Missourian 2005
Contact:  http://www.emissourian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3309
Author: Ed Pruneau, Missourian Managing Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH ACT TARGETS 'PERFECT STORM' OF DRUG PROBLEMS

America's methamphetamine epidemic is the "perfect storm" of drug problems, 
U.S. Sen. Jim Talent told law enforcement and other officials Wednesday at 
Washington city hall. "This is the worst single drug threat any of us has 
seen -- anywhere," Talent said at a press conference to outline his 
national Combat Meth Act.

The bill was unanimously approved last month by the Senate Judiciary 
Committee and Talent hopes it will come up for a full Senate vote this fall 
and become law by the end of the year. Congressman Roy Blunt of Missouri 
has sponsored a companion bill in the House.

Talent cosponsored the bipartisan Senate bill with Sen. Dianne Feinstein 
(D-California).

The Combat Meth Act combines restrictions on the sale of medications 
containing pseudoephedrine with increased federal funding for law 
enforcement efforts and drug treatment programs.

But the key to winning the fight, Talent said, is to control the sale of 
pseudoephedrine-based medicines which are "essential" ingredients in the 
manufacture of methamphetamine.

He said he knew it would be difficult to get the legislation passed -- drug 
manufacturers and retailers don't like it -- "but that's the way to choke 
off this drug."

In addition to setting restrictions on buying medications with 
pseudoephedrine -- similar to those implemented this year in Missouri -- 
the Combat Meth Act would authorize $43 million for:

* Local law enforcement and federal prosecutors to bring meth manufacturers 
and dealers to justice -- $25 million;

* Meth treatment and research -- $3 million;

* Helping children who have been affected by meth -- $5 million; and

* Precursor monitoring grants -- $10 million.

During Monday's meeting, Talent and law enforcement officials described how 
the meth crisis has affected innocent family members, mainly children, as 
well as those who make and use the drug.

For example, in one month, workers with the Missouri Division of Family 
Services office in Franklin County removed 48 children from homes where 
meth was being made. Those children had to be decontaminated because they 
were exposed to toxic materials used in the process.

"We've got kids growing up in a toxic environment," Talent remarked.

Part of the money earmarked in the bill will be for a research center to 
find a way to help addicts get off the drug. At this time, there is no 
methadone (a drug used to wean addicts from heroin) for meth, it was mentioned.

"We're going to send the message to addicts that if you want to get off the 
drug, we'll help," Talent said.

The only way to find out how much meth is out there is to bust the meth 
cooks, Talent noted. The "curious thing," he said, is "it's the states and 
counties that are doing the best job knocking down labs" that gain 
notoriety as "leaders" in meth production in the nation.

He praised Sheriff Gary Toelke and his staff and members of the Missouri 
Highway Patrol for their "heroic efforts" in battling the meth problem in 
Missouri. He singled out Sgt. Jason Grellner of the sheriff's office, and 
Lt. Kyle Marquart of the Highway Patrol for their assistance on drafting 
the bill.

Talent said he is disappointed that the Bush administration "has not been 
where they need to be on this issue," but said he's hopeful that will 
change. "We need to press the administration on this," he remarked, adding 
that in Missouri, Gov. Matt Blunt is a strong supporter of the measure.

He said an important part of the struggle is raising awareness of the drug 
and why it is so dangerous.

Franklin County's CHEM (Companies Helping to Eliminate Meth) was mentioned. 
County and municipal police agencies continue to educate young people about 
the dangers of meth through the D.A.R.E. program and through school 
resource officers. Washington Police Chief Ken Hahn explained how his 
department produced a 15-minute video about the meth problem which is shown 
in schools. He gave a copy of the video to the senator.

Sheriff Toelke and other law enforcement officers at the conference thanked 
Talent for his bi-partisan efforts to get the bill passed. "He's a good 
example of what a senator should do" for the citizens, Toelke said.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman