SCHUMER GETS AWARD FOR FIGHTING DRUGS

U. S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) has been selected to receive
the prestigious Guardian Award from the Partnership for a Drug Free
America for his work fighting the spread of the highly addictive drug
crystal methamphetamine.

The award is given to members of Congress who have proven their
leadership in preventing drug abuse in youths and teenagers both in
their home states and Congress. Schumer, who has warned about the
proliferation of crystal meth, received the award from Partnership
Chairman Roy Bostock.

"Crystal meth is becoming the new crack - its spreading into the New
York communities and we have to provide local law enforcement, parents
and community members with the tools to fight back," Schumer said. "We
need to close the loophole that helps make making crystal meth even
easier than making crack, and we need federal funds for prevention,
treatment, and care."

Schumer has been an outspoken advocate for stronger federal policies
to fight the spread of crystal meth to New York communities. This
summer, Schumer unveiled a three point plan to stop meth abuse. The
plan includes a comprehensive anti-meth national ad campaign similar
to that ran by the Office of National Drug Control Policy warning
parents and children about marijuana use; harsh federal punishments
for meth dealers and makers on par with those assessed to crack
dealers and makers; and increased federal funding to local law
enforcement agencies for their meth prevention and apprehension programs.

The number of meth labs in the New York State has been almost doubling
on a yearly basis. There have been 72 meth lab seizures in the
Southern Tier alone since 1999.