[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11853-S11854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO BATTLING METHAMPHETAMINES

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, in recent years, there has been been one 
issue that, perhaps more than any other, has sent waves of fear through 
our communities--the scourge of illegal drugs and the threat they pose 
to our children and families. As the 104th Congress comes to a close, I 
want to reflect on one aspect of this growing threat: the increasing 
use and manufacture of methamphetamines.
  The use of this drug is increasing among youth and young adults. 
According to the most recent Drug Abuse Warning Network, 
methamphetamine-related deaths increased nationally by 145 percent 
between 1992 and 1994 and methamphetamine-related emergency room cases 
are up 256 percent since 1991. In addition, methamphetamine-related 
hospital visits more than tripled between 1991 and 1994, with the 
largest increases occurring in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and 
Denver.
  In case my colleagues are not familiar with this drug, it is commonly 
called, in its various forms, speed, crank, ice, and meth. It's cheap, 
easy to get, highly addictive, and very, very dangerous.
  This drug can be inhaled, injected, ingested, or smoked. Its effects 
include feelings of alertness, euphoria, self-confidence, and 
impulsiveness. It can lead to rage, depression, paranoia, 
delusions,weight loss, abnormal heartbeat, insomnia, confusion, and 
auditory hallucinations. It has increased its purity in recent years 
and its effects can be sustained for up to 8 hours. Abusers may remain 
awake for days or weeks after a binge, then enter the most dangerous 
phase, know as tweaking, where they as most likely to suffer 
hallucinations, dramatic mood swings, and extreme violence.
  While all drugs are cause for concern, the increase of 
methamphetamines pose unique problems for law enforcement and 
communities, namely clandestine labs.
  In recent months, I have met with groups of law enforcement officials 
including Washington State Patrol Chief Annette Sandberg, U.S. Attorney 
Kate Pflaumer, and representatives of many local law enforcement 
agencies, including Shoreline Polices Department, Snohomish County 
Sheriffs Department, Lynnwood Police Department, Everett Police 
Department, Marysvill Police Department, and Mukilteo Police 
Department. Without exception, all mentioned the increasing numbers of 
clandestine laboratories used to manufacture methamphetamines.
  These labs are easily assembled in hotel rooms, trailer homes, or 
other small structures in both rural and urban settings. Using a quick, 
easy and cheap method, dubbed the Nazi method because of its invention 
by the Germans to keep soldiers alert in World War II, legal 
ingredients are harnessed to create a potent form of methamphetamines.
  Once these labs are located, local law enforcement officers must 
disassemble them, often at great risk to themselves. The chemicals used 
to make this synthetic drug include red phosphorous, iodine, 
hydrochloric acid, and, most importantly, ephedrine. These chemicals or 
their combination create hazardous waste and can be deadly if officers 
are overexposed to them.
  According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, the clandestine nature of 
the manufacturing process and the presence of ignitable, corrosive, 
reactive, and toxic chemicals have led to explosions, fires, toxic 
fumes, and irreparable damage to human health and the environment. The 
so-called cooks or chemists in these clandestine labs simply dump 
hazardous chemical wastes on the ground, into streams or lakes, into 
sewage systems or septic tanks, or underground.

  Law enforcement officials or firefighters require special training in 
health, safety, and disposal methods to deal with these labs. The 
cleanup of these dangerous sites is complex, expensive and time 
consuming. The contaminated materials and evidence can weigh up to 
several tons. The substances to which these law enforcement officers 
are exposed present very real health risks.
  In addition to the danger posed to officers and the environment, 
unwitting future tenants of the motels, homes, or trailers may be 
exposed to toxic vapors that have permeated plaster and wood of 
buildings. Children may play in the soil or water onto which these 
chemicals have been carelessly or intentionally dumped. Passersby also 
may inhale these vapors as they pass a clandestine lab. Finally, 
chemicals may be stored in rental lockers or other semi-public places 
that lack proper ventilation or temperature controls. These improperly 
stored chemicals increase the likelihood of fire, explosion, and human 
exposure.
  So, Mr. President, what should we do? I am in strong support of S. 
1965, the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act passed by the 
Senate 2 weeks ago and the House this weekend. That bill takes a 
multifaceted approach to the problem by addressing, among other things, 
importation of chemicals used to make the drug; increased penalties for 
manufacturing, possession of manufacturing equipment, and trafficking; 
higher civil penalties for firms that knowingly supply precursor 
chemicals; restitution for cleanup of clandestine lab sites; 
development of an interagency task force; public health monitoring; and 
public-private education programs.
  I congratulate Senators Hatch, Biden, and Feinstein on their efforts 
to help this Congress address the problem. I ask unanimous consent that 
my letter to Senators Hatch and Biden be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:


[[Page S11854]]




                                                  U.S. Senate,

                               Washington, DC, September 25, 1996.
     Senator Orrin Hatch,
     Chairman, Judiciary Committee.

     Senator Joe Biden,
     Ranking Member, Judiciary Committee.
       Dear Orrin and Joe: Last week, the Senate passed a bill you 
     sponsored, the Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 
     1996. I understand the House intends to make up a similar 
     bill this week. I strongly support the Senate bill, S. 1965, 
     and urge you to work to ensure it becomes law this year.
       In these last two months, I have visited with 
     representatives of local, state and federal law enforcement. 
     Over and over, these officials voiced concerns about the 
     increasing manufacture, potency, and availability of 
     methamphetamines. Local and state law enforcement officers 
     said they felt particularly ill-equipped to safely and cost-
     effectively deal with clandestine labs and the hazardous 
     chemicals they contain. The high cost, technical expertise 
     and time required to investigate and eliminate these labs are 
     hampering law enforcement's ability to protect our young 
     people and communities from the threat not only of 
     methamphetamines, but of other illegal drugs as well.
       I pledge my support in any way I can to helping ensure this 
     bill, S. 1965, becomes law. I also intend to work within the 
     Appropriations Committee to see that coordination efforts are 
     strengthened and our law enforcement officials have the tools 
     they need to combat this growing threat.
       Thank you for all of your work to date on this issue. I 
     look forward to working closely with you on this important 
     public safety issue.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Patty Murray,
                                                     U.S. Senator.

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be added 
as a cosponsor of S. 1965.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Another important piece to solving this puzzle in the 
Pacific Northwest is designation of a high-intensity drug trafficking 
area. I am happy to announce that contained in this bill is $3 million 
for the newly created Pacific Northwest HIDTA. This will help 
enormously as we try to coordinate our efforts among Federal, State, 
and local law enforcement to fight not only methamphetamines, but all 
other illegal drugs and drug trafficking in our region.
  The Department of Justice has also developed the National 
Methamphetamine Strategy--April 1996. This report is referenced in a 
colloquy I will have, in conjunction with this omnibus spending bill, 
with Chairman Hatfield and Senator Hollings about the need to address 
methamphetamines. This plan, which will be partially implemented when 
S. 1965 becomes law, lays out a legislative, law enforcement, training, 
chemical regulation, international cooperation, environmental 
protection, public awareness, educational, and treatment strategy. The 
multidisciplinary, multijurisdictional program provides the needed 
comprehensive approach to this problem.
  Finally, money is critical. While I do not support simply throwing 
Federal dollars at this problem, the need for Federal support to help 
in coordination activities, technical assistance, and training cannot 
be minimized. In the bill we have before us, we make some major 
improvements in our war against these and other drugs. The DEA's budget 
was increased by 23 percent--that's a start. The U.S. Attorneys Office 
received funding for additional attorney's, which are critically 
needed. The Office of National Drug Control Policy received new money 
and additional HIDTA's. So, I believe this budget moves us in the right 
direction.
  As I have suggested in the colloquy, I intend to work with my 
colleagues in Congress and in the administration to develop a funding 
and technical assistance strategy to address the unique problems posed 
by methamphetamines and clandestine labs. Our local and State law 
enforcement officials simply must have adequate money, training, and 
technical expertise to address the costly and dangerous threats posed 
by clandestine labs. I will then work to ensure funds are targeted to 
this vital area in the fiscal year 1998 budget.
  Mr. President, as with all social and criminal problems, change can 
only occur if and when we all do our part. I pledge to work with 
Federal, State and local law enforcement, community leaders, my 
colleagues, and others to find a way to stop the spread of illegal 
drugs, including methamphetamines. I am committed to improving the 
quality of life, safety, and security of our children and communities. 
I look forward to continuing this important work in the 105th Congress.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Brown). The clerk will call roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Coats). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to proceed as in 
morning business for not to exceed 15 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
Senator from Massachusetts is recognized for a time period not to 
exceed 15 minutes.

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