THE 'METH ACT' WILL INCREASE PENALTIES

During the July 4 Congressional District work period, I had the opportunity
to travel across the Third Congressional District and meet with local law
enforcement and drug task force officers.

As it is each and every time I meet with these individuals, I left these
meetings impressed with the high level of dedication they have in keeping
our communities safe. However, I was also concerned how much still needs to
be done to rid our communities of the threat of crime and drugs.

We have all been aware, for some time now, that methamphetamine and other
drugs have an alarmingly strong presence in our local communities.
Unfortunately, we are not always aware of how much of an impact local law
enforcement and drug task force groups are having in cleaning up our
communities.

These officers are shutting down meth labs at an impressive rate. Despite
these efforts, it often seems that for everyone they shut down another one
springs up almost immediately. Added to this problem is the fact that, due
to the hazardous chemicals involved in manufacturing this drug, the cost of
cleaning up a seized lab is extremely high.

This sentiment was echoed by Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald who told
me the amount of meth labs seized has more than quadrupled over the past
year and, despite this accomplishment, he could still use much more support.

On the federal level, I have been involved in the fight against this drug
since I first came to Congress. I introduced the Comprehensive
Methamphetamine Act (H.R. 988) which seeks to provide more than $75 million
for meth prevention, enforcement and treatment programs.

I have also been supportive of efforts to increase funding for the Community
Oriented Policing Service (COPS) which helps local law enforcement officials
put more officers on the street. Since its inception in 1994, the COPS
initiative has provided more than $6.5 million to add 99 additional officers
in communities across the Third Congressional District.

Many of us have been fighting hard to rid our communities of the threat of
illegal drugs. Clearly these efforts have made a difference in the past
years as nationwide crime rates have steadily declined. Even with these
successes, there is more work that needs to be done.

This is why I recently cosponsored the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation
Act, a bill which seeks to increase the penalties for methamphetamine
laboratory operators, as well as provide additional resources to combat meth
production, trafficking and abuse in the United States.

The bill would also make funds available under the Byrne grant program to
assist in the removal of any hazardous substance or pollutant associated
with the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine.

Over the past few years we have made significant progress in the battle
against drugs in our community. I have seen first hand the outstanding job
our local law enforcement officers have been doing, and I have seen first
hand their need for additional resources.

The law enforcement community cannot continue their success unless they are
provided the tools they need to be successful. Programs such as the COPS
initiative, Byrne grants, and local law enforcement block grants provide
invaluable support to their efforts.

Methamphetamine has brought untold human costs to our state over the past
several years, and we must keep up the battle to protect our communities
from its harmful effects. I am committed to doing whatever I can to provide
the necessary resources to rid our streets of this horrible drug.