CONGRESSMAN MCHENRY CO-SPONSORS METHAMPHETAMINE EPIDEMIC ELIMINATION ACT

Congressman Continues His Fight Against Drug Plaguing Western North
Carolina

WASHINGTON - Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC-10) has taken the
latest step in his fight to stop the meth epidemic plaguing western
North Carolina by co-sponsoring the Methamphetamine Epidemic
Elimination Act of 2005 (HR 3889). The bill, which was introduced on
the House floor last week, would restrict access to the chemicals used
to make meth, strengthen the penalties for meth production,
distribution and trafficking, and improve environmental regulation of
toxic byproducts created during meth manufacturing.

Congressman McHenry has been a leader in the fight against meth. As
Vice Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Justice
and Drug Policy, the Congressman has taken a lead role in crafting
legislation to deal with this growing problem, including his earlier
sponsorship of a bill to increase jail time for those using or
producing meth in the presence of children.

HR 3889 would limit the amount of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine a
person could buy at one time to 3.6 grams. Congressman McHenry
explained the need for this bill, "Without pseudoephedrine, a person
cannot make meth, it's that simple. By making it harder for these drug
peddlers to get the key ingredient for their poison, we can kill their
ability to produce it."

The bill also places restrictions on the importation of other
chemicals used to make meth, increases federal penalties for
large-scale meth dealers by imposing life sentences on traffickers and
allows the United States to withhold foreign aid from countries that
refuse to fully comply with international drug control treaties. HR
3889 increases the enforcement of environmental laws against people
operating meth labs that pollute the surrounding environment and
requires the polluter to pay restitution for cleanup costs. Currently,
local law enforcement agencies bear most of the burden for cost of
cleanup.

Law enforcement in western North Carolina has been on the front lines
of the war against meth for the last few years. Shortly after being
sworn-in, Congressman McHenry organized a district-wide meth
conference in Lenoir, with Sheriffs from throughout the Tenth District
attending. In July, the Congressman invited Rutherford County's Chief
Deputy Sheriff, Philip Byers, to testify on the meth problem before
the Government Reform Subcommittee.

Upon learning of Congressman McHenry's latest offensive in the war on
meth, Chief Deputy Byers commented, "I see the effects this deadly
drug has on a daily basis, and we in law enforcement are so thankful
to have Congressman McHenry leading the fight in Washington to give us
the tools we need to win this war."