1 MILLION MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO CLEAN UP METH LAB MESSES

As Utahns are well aware, we are under siege from a new and dangerous
drug epidemic.

A large number of clandestine methamphetamine laboratory operators who
have infiltrated our state are threatening our safety and the quality
of the environment. Methamphetamine, one of the most pernicious drugs
available on the street, is a highly toxic and addictive stimulant
that severely affects the central nervous system, induces
uncontrollable violent behavior and extreme psychiatric and
psychological symptoms, and eventually leads some of its abusers to
suicide or even murder. The methamphetamine threat also differs in
kind from that of other illegal drugs because it can be made from
readily available and legal chemicals and substances, and because it
poses serious dangers to both human life and to the environment.
Shockingly, in 1998, Utah had the third-highest number of
methamphetamine labs seized per capita in the nation.

In total, 266 labs were seized in Utah by federal drug enforcement
agents or state and local authorities. The manufacture of
methamphetamine is frightening, and it is occurring in our own
neighborhoods. Indeed, just last week, there was a horrific
meth-related killing in Murray Park. We have introduced legislation,
the Methamphetamine Anti-Proliferation Act of 1999, in both houses of
Congress to deal swiftly and effectively with the problems of
methamphetamine manufacturing, trafficking,and abuse.

This bill will provide law enforcement with several needed tools that
will help turn back the tide of methamphetamine proliferation. This
bill will bolster the DEA's ability to combat the manufacturing and
trafficking of methamphetamine by authorizing the creation of
satellite offices and the hiring of additional agents to assist state
and local law enforcement officials.

More than with any other drug, methamphetamine manufacturers and
traffickers operate in small cities and rural areas.

Unfortunately, rural law enforcement agencies there often are
overwhelmed and in dire need of the DEA's expertise in conducting
methamphetamine investigations. Moreover, the toxic chemicals and
substances used in the manufacturing process are unstable, volatile,
and highly combustible. Our bill thus will assist state and local
officials in handling these dangerous toxic wastes left behind by
methamphetamine labs. While we know that vigorous law enforcement
measures are necessary to combat the methamphetamine scourge, we also
recognize that we must act to prevent our youth from ever starting
down the path of drug abuse.

We also must find ways to treat those who have become trapped in
addiction.

For these reasons, the bill contains several significant prevention
and treatment provisions. Another important section of the bill will
help prevent the manufacture of meth by banning the dissemination of
drug "recipes" if the disseminator intends to use the information to
commit a federal crime or if he knows the recipient intends to use it
for that purpose.

Right now, it's illegal to sell, or advertise for sale, drug
paraphernalia. The bill clarifies that setting up a link on an
Internet website that directs people to another Internet site that
sells illegal drug paraphernalia is also prohibited. Finally, this
legislation seeks to impose harsher penalties on manufacturers of
illegal drugs when their actions create a substantial risk of harm to
human life or the environment. The inherent dangers of killing
innocent bystanders, and contaminating the environment while making
methamphetamine warrant a punitive penalty to deter criminals. Many
people, including an editorial writer for this paper, have grown
increasingly skeptical as to whether we can ever rid our nation of the
dreadful plague of illegal drugs.

We say to all those skeptics that now is not the time to take a
defeatist attitude.

Too many fine young people are depending on us to do what is
right.

We believe that this bill contains many tools that will help in this
most difficult struggle against methamphetamine. We can defeat drug
dealers and traffickers, and we must fight this plague for the sake of
our children and grandchildren. Methamphetamine is an epidemic in Utah
and nationwide; it is a battle that we must fight until we succeed.

Orrin Hatch, a Republican, is Utah's senior senator. Chris
Cannon represents Utah's 3rd District in the U.S. House.