RAISING METH AWARENESS WILL SAVE LIVES

South Dakota towns, both large and small, are great places to live,
to work, and to raise families. Like towns and cities everywhere,
however, there are problems that endanger lives and can tear at the
fabric of our communities. South Dakota has a tragically high rate
of methamphetamine abuse, and I believe that we must take steps to
combat this crisis to ensure a better life for our children.

Meth is particularly dangerous because it can be easily made from
commonly found ingredients and it has a highly addictive, powerful,
lasting effect on users. Also, the production of meth produces large
quantities of toxic waste, which poses a danger to everyone in the
community, not just users and manufacturers.

I have joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in sponsoring a
resolution designating November as "National Methamphetamine
Awareness Month." This resolution calls for parents, school
districts, local governments, and other interested parties to
increase the awareness of meth abuse and its consequences among
students through education and outreach.

Part of what makes meth abuse so tragic is the disproportionate usage
rate among minorities, particularly Native Americans. Higher meth use
rates in Native American communities have been linked to higher
death rates for young people, including higher suicide rates. This
situation clearly must be addressed, both in schools and communities,
as well as through law enforcement.

According to the National Association of Counties, local sheriffs
across America report that meth abuse is directly contributing to
increased crime rates. The cost of law enforcement, both in combating
meth production and trafficking, and as a result of meth induced
crimes, is putting a strain on law enforcement agencies across South
Dakota and across the country.

Similarly, the cost of meth-related health care and social services
is increasing. Meth destroys families and forces children out of
homes. Meth abuse patients frequently end up in public emergency
rooms, which increases costs and could potentially make it more
difficult for other patients seeking urgent care.

There is no silver bullet solution for meth abuse in rural America.
Parents must emphasize with their children the importance of living a
drug-free life, and schools must reinforce this message in the
classroom. Furthermore, we must continue to give law enforcement
officials at all levels of government the resources they need to shut
down meth production and trafficking. Meth does not need to continue
to tear families and communities apart, but to stop it will require
all of us to do our part.