AWARENESS FIRST STEP TOWARDS CURBING METH PROBLEM

On July 31 in Carlsbad, I began a two-week, 17-stop methamphetamine
awareness tour. I will never forget this extraordinary journey, during
which I traveled more than 3,000 miles across New Mexico's 2nd
Congressional District -- and an immeasurable distance in
understanding this deadly scourge.

My staff and I scheduled this tour knowing that methamphetamine abuse
has become a major problem. Yet, only the wrenching testimony we
received during our workshops could have illustrated just how much
this hidden killer threatens the underpinnings of who we are -- and
who we hope our children will become.

Police, parents, mental health professionals and residents described
the devastating impact of methamphetamine upon their communities.
People from diverse backgrounds stood up and provided their testimony,
both good and bad. Individuals who have been ensnared by
methamphetamine addiction had the courage to tell their stories.E

As I listened, I felt deep compassion for those whose lives have been
enslaved by this hidden killer and their families; anger toward those
who profit from this insidious, life-wrecking force; and most of all,
a determination to do everything in my power to help our communities
defeat this threat, which possesses truly apocalyptic potential for
our society.

Here's what I discovered during our tour, which I present knowing that
there is much, much more to learn.

Chief Deputy Rob Coon of the Chaves County Sheriff Department told us
that methamphetamine has become the drug of choice in nearly all 50
states. According to Lt. Frank Musitano of the New Mexico State
Police, methamphetamine is simple to make, easy to consume, readily
available and highly addictive.

Lt. Musitano, who has presented meth education programs for nearly two
years and who accompanied me on most of our tour, further advises that
98 percent of methamphetamine invading our communities consists of
nearly 100 percent pure methamphetamine smuggled across our southern
border from Mexico. This variety of the drug is four times more potent
than the methamphetamine produced in mobile homes and basements.

Lt. Musitano describes the effects of methamphetamine use in
frightening detail. He presents slides of open sores where addicts
have picked at their wounds to consume the small traces of meth
seeping through their skin -- and heart-rending pictures of the
suffering of children who have addicted parents.

Lt. Musitano states that methamphetamine's destructive impact becomes
manifest within the first few weeks after an individual's first
experience with the drug.

Our workshops revealed that methamphetamine addiction has infected all
sectors of society. It has destroyed the lives of soccer moms,
elementary school kids and working professionals. Business owners have
lost their businesses, homeowners have lost their homes and parents
have lost their children.

As we discussed solutions during our community workshops, one theme
remained constant.E In the words of Cmdr. Bobby Sullivan of the Pecos
Valley Drug Task Force: "We can't arrest our way out of this problem."
Moreover, this crisis won't be solved by waiting on Washington or Santa Fe.
Every community, every neighborhood and every family must make an
unflinching commitment today to win this fight. We must find a way to
educate our children before they fall into the grip of methamphetamine,
while providing treatment options for those who have fallen prey to
addiction.E

This October, I plan to return to our schools to help our communities
assess what we can do to develop an effective, comprehensive education
strategy. Building upon the unity and resolve I witnessed across
Southern New Mexico, let us work together within each community with a
determination that exceeds the alarming magnitude of this crisis.E We
have no other choice.

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M.. represents the 2nd Congressional
District.