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Counties Urge Congress to Provide Meth-Fighting Tools

by National Association of Counties President Colleen Landkamer - 12/01/06 10:21 AM ET

The nation’s counties are on the front lines in responding to the methamphetamine epidemic in America. Meth abuse is causing remarkable financial, legal, medical, environmental, and social problems for counties.

With yesterday’s first-ever National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, the National Association of Counties (NACo) has again urged Congress to enact pending legislation and provide adequate funding to help communities and families cope with the effects of this highly addictive and dangerous drug.

Specifically, NACo urges Congress to: (1) Provide $1.1 billion for the Justice Assistance Grant program, which helps local governments establish anti-drug taskforces as well as support community treatment and prevention programs; (2) Pass S. 2019, the Meth Remediation Research Act of 2005, sponsored by Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), which is currently being held up by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.); (3) Pass the House level of $1.8 billion for the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant; and (4) Urges Congress to tighten the international market for bulk pseudoephedrine to help curb the import of meth into the U.S. from Mexican superlabs.

NACo has taken a leadership role in fighting meth abuse in America with the release of five national surveys. The most recent survey in July 2006 found that county law enforcement officials across 44 states reported that methamphetamine remains the number one drug problem in their county.

NACo applauds U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for establishing National Methamphetamine Awareness Day and pledges to continue working with the Department of Justice and Congress to curb the meth epidemic in America.