[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 25 (Friday, February 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E310-E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORT OF H.R. 365, METHAMPHETAMINE REMEDIATION RESEARCH ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.R. 365, the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007. As a 
member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control 
Methamphetamine, I am proud to be a sponsor of H.R. 365, which will 
help combat the scourge of methamphetamines and ameliorate the serious 
problems it is causing our Nation.
  First and foremost, H.R. 365 will require the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) to develop health-related guidelines for the 
cleanup of methamphetamines. It will also call for the National Academy 
of Science to perform a study on the long-term health effects on 
children rescued from living in methamphetamine lab homes. In addition, 
NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, will 
establish a research program to develop field

[[Page E311]]

kits that will test for and detect methamphetamine.
  Despite improvements in state and local efforts to reduce its 
prevalence, the problems produced by methamphetamines and incidents 
related to methamphetamines continue. In 2005, 5,846 methamphetamine 
labs were seized, and in 2003, 7.6 percent of high school students 
reported having used methamphetamines. Self-reported use of 
methamphetamines by adults and adolescents continues to rise. As 
methamphetamine usage increases, the demand for the drug rises. Nowhere 
is it a bigger problem that in the Midwest, where methamphetamines 
account for nearly 90 percent of all drug cases. In states such as 
Oklahoma, methamphetamines are surpassing cocaine as the drug of 
choice. The state medical examiner's office reports the number of death 
cases testing positive for methamphetamines has been higher than 
cocaine. The office also reports methamphetamine is found in more cases 
of homicides, and motor vehicle accidents.
  Methamphetamine labs not only damage individuals, they affect our 
children and our environment. As the founder and co-chair of the 
Congressional Children's Caucus, I am horrified by the effects 
methamphetamine labs have on children. Children living at 
methamphetamine labs are at increased risk for severe neglect and 
abuse, both physical and sexual abuse. A child raised in or near a 
methamphetamine lab environment experiences stress and trauma that 
significantly affect his or her overall safety and health, including 
behavioral, emotional, and cognitive functioning.
  Hazardous living conditions and filth are common in methamphetamine 
lab homes where explosives and loaded guns are often present and in 
many instances, within easy reach. The safety and development of our 
children are negatively influenced by living in methamphetamine lab 
homes.
  Our environment suffers from methamphetamine labs as well. In 
general, there are 5-7 pounds of toxic waste produced for every pound 
of methamphetamine manufactured. There are more than 30 chemicals used 
to produce methamphetamines, and most are explosive, caustic, and 
carcinogenic. The chemicals are often poured into streams, down drains 
or disposed of in fields, yards or gutters. Many highway cleanup crews 
have reported finding toxic garbage from methamphetamines in ditches. 
All of this illicit toxic waste eventually winds up in waterways via 
rainwater runoff.
  Mr. Speaker, these dire problems require immediate action and H.R. 
365 does this appropriately. I urge my colleagues to join me in the 
fight against the methamphetamine epidemic by supporting H.R. 365, the 
Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007.

                          ____________________