METH USE IS DESTROYING OREGON

I recently finished my master's in business administration in Austin,
Texas. I am returning home to continue my career because I love Oregon.

I just drove 2,300 miles with all my gear in the back seat. I stayed
in budget motels and parked on the street in the Bay Area.

I had no problem until I arrived in Eugene. My welcome home was to
have my window broken out and all of my clothing stolen within 20
minutes of arrival. It is hard to feel good about my home state when
in the rest of the country it is sunny and warm, and I am not the
victim of crime.

You should know why this happened - but if you don't, let me spell it
out: M-E-T-H. I am reading that 85 percent of property crime and
identity theft in Oregon is related to methamphetamine use. Our law
enforcement community can't keep up with the problem. This drug is
destroying Oregon.

Oregon is going to lose its appeal as a desirable place to live if we
do not take immediate action. I support the efforts to restrict
ingredients used in the manufacture of meth.

Meth users will rob, steal and kill to get the drug. We need to
support our lawmakers in jailing meth users and manufacturers. It is
the only way to get them off the drug and get our communities safe -
not for the meth users' sake, but for the sake of those who haven't
fallen into the grips of this vicious drug.

Adam Smith

Portland