[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 37 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      INTRODUCTION OF THE METHAMPHETAMINE ELIMINATION ACT OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mr. LEWIS of California.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce an 
important piece of legislation, the Methamphetamine Elimination Act. 
This bill will take great strides in ridding our Nation of the 
dangerous drug, methamphetamine.
  Methamphetamine, or ``meth,'' is truly a terrifying drug. It is 
highly addictive and, with repeated use, can cause extreme nervousness, 
paranoia, and dramatic mood swings. Unfortunately, meth use goes hand 
in hand with brutal child abuse and domestic violence. Often, children, 
the innocent bystanders, are neglected or abused by parents who are 
involved with meth production or use.
  Methamphetamine is fast becoming the crack epidemic of the 1990's. 
Meth production and use is a nationwide problem, cutting across all 
income and racial divisions; the impact, however, is disproportionally 
felt in California. The Drug Enforcement Agency [DEA] has identified 
California as a ``source country'' of methamphetamine with literally 
hundreds of clandestine laboratories, or ``clan labs,'' located 
throughout the State.
  Clan labs have proliferated at such a pace that California officials 
now consider them major threats to the public, law enforcement and 
public communities, even the environment. In just 1996, the Bureau of 
Narcotics Enforcement [BNE] raided 835 clan labs in California, up from 
465 in 1995. Just think of that 835 labs seized in California in 1 
year--almost one every 10 hours. Clearly, California is on the front 
line in the war on methamphetamine.
  As a result, California is in desperate need to help to fight this 
wicked drug. The Methamphetamine Elimination Act would provide $18 
million to the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement to fight meth through a 
5-point strategy. Specifically, funds from this legislation will be 
used to hire, train, and equip 126 sworn and nonsworn law enforcement 
staff to do the following:
  First, establish enforcement teams to target chemical sources and 
major traffickers/organizations.
  Second, establish an intelligence component to provide strategic and 
tactical support to meth enforcement teams.
  Third, establish a forensics component within the BNE to provide on-
site laboratory services. Lab site analysis--in addition to providing 
for the immediate safety of law enforcement personnel--will allow BNE 
to bring to bear law enforcement services not currently available.
  Fourth, develop clan lab training for law enforcement officers. 
Training involves basic classes covering the danger of the labs and 
chemical agents used in the manufacture of meth.
  Fifth, establish a community outreach program to promote public 
awareness, the primary focus of which will be young people.
  This strategy is designed to coincide with the National 
Methamphetamine Strategy, which was based upon work by Federal, State 
and local law enforcement officials during the National Methamphetamine 
Conference held in Washington, DC last year. There is widespread 
support for the implementation of this strategy, including the support 
of the California Sheriff's Association, the California Chiefs of 
Police Association and the District Attorneys Association.
  The time has come to devote significant Federal resources to this 
nationwide problem. In the last Congress, we passed comprehensive 
legislation to address the meth problems. Now, we need to assist States 
like California that are on the front lines of this battle. Therefore, 
I strongly urge support for the Methamphetamine Elimination Act.

                          ____________________