FEINSTEIN RESPONDS

I take exception to your editorial, ("A Madness Called Meth," Oct. 8) which
contended all of California's elected representatives have "failed to grasp
the scope of the (meth) problem." The fact is, I have been attacking this
epidemic for many years, and will continue to do so.

In 1996, I co-authored the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act, now
law, which restricts access to chemicals used to create meth and raised
penalties for their sale and possession. In 1998, I was the sponsor of the
Methamphetamine Trafficking Penalty Enhancement Act, also now law.

This session, I joined Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch in authoring the
Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act, which increases penalties for
dealing amphetamine; requires criminals to pay for lab cleanup; and gives
law enforcement more tools to fight meth traffickers. That measure awaits
the president's signature.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I have fought to bring added
federal funding to this battle. I have ensured that the California Bureau
of Narcotic Enforcement has received the full amount requested for their
meth strategy over the past three years ($54 million) and that this year's
request of $18 million also gets funded.

And last year we successfully funded a new "High Intensity Drug Trafficking
Area" in the Central Valley, which will allow for better coordination
between authorities and resources in this fight.

Our job is far from done and I remain committed to fight against meth on
all fronts.

Dianne Feinstein, United States Senator