SUBCOMMITTEE VOTES TO GRANT FUNDS TO NATIVE AMERICANS FOR METH FIGHT

WASHINGTON -- A House subcommittee on Tuesday took a step toward
helping Indian communities battle crisis levels of methamphetamine use.

A House Judiciary subcommittee passed legislation sponsored by New
Mexico Rep. Tom Udall, a Democrat, that would allow territories and
Indian tribes to receive law enforcement grants to fight meth use.
Udall said larger meth legislation passed by Congress last year
"unintentionally left out" Indian tribes as possible applicants for
some grant programs. This legislation would clarify that law so the
tribes would be eligible. He noted that meth use has been
disproportionately worse in Native American communities, citing a
2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

That study reported a "past year methamphetamine use" rate of 1.7
percent for American Indians and Alaska Natives and 2.2 percent for
Native Hawaiians.

Ben Shelly, vice president of the Navajo Nation, also testified at
the hearing.

"The escalating problem of methamphetamine is affecting the entire
nation and has reached epidemic levels," Shelly said.
"Methamphetamine use and production places tremendous burden on the
already severely underfunded Indian health care system and law enforcement."

The full committee will consider the legislation today. It is
expected to pass the bill, which will then move to the House floor.