MCHENRY PURSUES DISTRICT INTERESTS

Patrick McHenry wasted no time engaging in constituency service.

The freshman congressman was in Hickory last week to throw his support to
commercial airline service and later went to Lenoir to back a crackdown on
methamphetamine labs. Both topics are high on the agenda among 10th
Congressional District residents.

Hickory Regional Airport needs security personnel and equipment from the
federal Transportation Security Administration to begin servicing passenger
flights from Atlantic Southeast Airlines. The connection carrier for Delta
already is booking flights for a May 1 launch.

But the airport must meet federal security standards before service can begin.

McHenry has sent a letter urging the federal agency to allocate the
necessary funding - funding already allotted to the TSA, but not yet
released to Hickory. McHenry readily agreed to help local officials push
for the money and keep restoration of passenger service on schedule.

He also promised area sheriffs and police officials he would move quickly
to obtain federal assistance in the battle against methamphetamine labs. So
far, authorities are losing the battle. Methamphetamine is a particularly
dangerous drug. It is extremely addictive, the addiction is difficult to
kick and making meth is relatively easy. The active ingredients are readily
available. Making meth is dangerous - the process is volatile - but it's a
risk an increasing number of people are taking.

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper has launched an aggressive
campaign against meth labs, but law enforcement agencies need all the help
they can get. Federal assistance would be appreciated.

So, McHenry met with local authorities to ask what they need most.
Equipment? Officers? Money to step up the war on drugs? Well - yes.

Some officials, including Cooper, suggested that over-the-counter drugs
such as Sudafed and its generic counterparts be more tightly controlled.
The little red pills are necessary for meth manufacture.

Others want stiffer penalties for people caught cooking the drug.

McHenry seems to favor a combination of direct aid to law enforcement and
legislation to make prosecution and sentencing easier.

He's vice chairman of the Government reform Subcommittee on Criminal
Justice and Drug Policy, so he's already gained a measure of influence in
the U.S. House.

That he's using his influence and office to tackle local problems is a good
sign for the 10th District.