Pubdate: Thu, 16 Mar 2006
Source: Columbian, The (WA)
Copyright: 2006 The Columbian Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.columbian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/92
Author: Tina Imdieke
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH BILL LONG OVERDUE

Methamphetamine has ravaged our community and put severe strains on 
local and state agencies. Meth has destroyed families, made parents 
neglect and abandon their innocent babies and children. Meth has not 
done anything positive for our community.

Finally, an anti-meth bill has been approved by the Senate and 
attached to the U.S. Patriot Act, a centerpiece of the president's 
war on terrorism. At last meth has been placed where it belongs, as 
an immediate threat to our national security. This disease is eating 
our society from within. By adding this legislation to the Patriot 
Act we have escalated this cancer in American society from a petty 
drug crime to its appropriate position as an act of domestic terrorism.

This legislation addresses domestic meth sales and the international 
monitoring of one of the key ingredients in meth, pseudoephedrine. It 
increases penalties against meth cooks and traffickers, and provides 
more funding for state and local agencies dealing with this epidemic. 
The thing I appreciate the most is the authorization for the "Meth 
Hot Spots" grant programs. This program provides for federal 
assistance to the endangered children and families affected by meth.

Tina Imdieke

Vancouver
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman