[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 2315. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a 
federally-supported education and awareness campaign for the prevention 
of methamphetamine use; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
curb meth use in the United States. We have often been told that an 
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, but this adage is 
particularly true with methamphetamine addiction. But the problems 
associated with meth do not end with a one-time high-they are only just 
beginning. All too often, we hear horror stories about the change in 
the brain's chemical composition that results from meth use. There's no 
guarantee that a meth user's brain will be the same after they use meth 
just once.
  The impact of meth, both emotionally and physically, is significant. 
The individuals that use meth are also not the only ones harmed by this 
devastating drug--meth problems manifest themselves in family 
relationships, place strain on treatment facilities and public health 
needs, and the community. at large must bear the costs associated with 
meth, such as drug-endangered children and the remediation of meth 
labs. The most efficient use of Federal dollars should be directed 
toward prevention--and that is why I have introduced legislation today.
  With consideration of the PATRIOT Act and the inclusion of the Combat 
Meth Act provisions which I fully support, I strongly believe that an 
emphasis on prevention is essential, and the discussion today is a 
topical one. We must change the attitude of the consumer. So long as 
there is a demand for meth, there will always be willing sellers.
  My legislation would allow communities to apply for assistance for 
any campaign which would have a demonstrated reduction of meth use. A 
100 percent match is required of all applicants to ensure that the 
community organization or local government applying for funds has a 
stake in the outcome. However, my legislation also recognizes the 
difficulty this matching requirement may have on rural areas, or Indian 
reservations, which typically have a high level of meth use, but lack 
the necessary resources. For these applicants, the match will be cut in 
half.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in helping to prevent this public 
health crisis called meth from becoming any worse. I have seen the 
Senate's Anti-Meth Caucus start with six members when I created it last 
year, and membership now stands at over 30 members. In the Senate, we 
realize the serious nature and scope of the problem facing our States--
now it's time to act.
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