[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 77 (Thursday, May 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5948-S5949]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. HARKIN:
  S. 1367. A bill to amend the Public Health Services Act to provide 
methamphetamine prevention and treatment services; to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I am honored today to introduce the 
Methamphetamine Abuse Treatment and Prevention Act. Meth is one of the 
most deadly, addictive, rapidly spreading drugs in history. It is 
ravaging rural and urban communities alike. And it is leaving a path of 
destruction, human, financial, and environmental, that is staggering.
  We've seen violent crime increase significantly for the first time in 
more than a decade. This increase was most evident in the meth-plagued 
Midwest. We must realize meth abuse is not only a State problem, but a 
national problem that is threatening communities across the country.

[[Page S5949]]

  Law enforcement efforts to curb the distribution of dangerous meth 
making chemicals and locking up fertilizers have been successful. In 
Iowa, we've reduced the number of meth labs by nearly 80 percent. But 
our effort to fight meth is not over. Unfortunately, many States have 
seen dramatic increases in the amount of crystal meth or ``ice'' 
smuggled into the State. Ice is a much purer and more dangerous form of 
the illegal stimulant. Addicts who no longer have access to meth 
manufactured through home labs are using this more dangerous form. This 
drug puts a heavy toll on our communities, our justice and health care 
system, and tears apart families.
  We need to remember that the meth epidemic is a double scourge. It is 
a public safety crisis. And it is also a public health crisis. Even if 
we shut down every home-based lab, we would still have a meth problem 
in this country. It will not go away until we do a better job of 
preventing people from using meth in the first place and giving addicts 
the treatment they need to kick the habit for good.
  Bear in mind that meth is more addictive than crack cocaine or 
heroin. More than 50 percent of meth users started when they were under 
age 18. Law enforcement officers across Iowa tell me that prevention 
and treatment are the keys to stopping this epidemic.
  Yet this is exactly where we are falling short. There are 22 million 
Americans in need of treatment for substance addiction. Less than 3 
million are able to get help. The bill I am introducing today would 
aggressively step up efforts to prevent meth addiction and provide more 
treatment options.
  Given the highly addictive nature of methamphetamine, prevention is 
crucial. Over 50 percent of meth users started when they were under age 
18. We must target our efforts to ensure that people do not ever start 
using meth. My bill provides grants to schools and communities for meth 
prevention programs. It creates a telephone helpline and an online 
parent resource center. When parents or family members want information 
on keeping their children safe from drugs, or they fear a young person 
is experimenting or in trouble with drugs, this telephone helpline and 
Internet resource will give live, real-time support and information, as 
well as referrals to community resources.
  At the same time, the bill takes a comprehensive approach to 
treatment. We know that with proper treatment, meth addicts can recover 
and live productive lives. Every dollar spent on treatment saves 
taxpayers seven dollars, largely by reducing crime, incarceration, and 
health care costs. The bill that I am introducing today is designed to 
realize these savings by promoting a comprehensive approach to meth 
treatment.
  This legislation promotes range of treatment options. First, it 
includes family-based treatment. Parental substance use is the culprit 
in at least 70 percent of all child welfare spending, yet only 10 
percent of child welfare agencies are able to successfully find 
substance abuse programs for mothers and children. Comprehensive 
treatment specifically for parents can assist them in recovering and 
providing safe and nurturing environments for their children. This 
legislation provides critical resources for adolescent and family-based 
treatment services to ensure that young people and parents are able to 
access the treatment they need.
  Second, this legislation includes grants to offer treatment services 
for nonviolent adults and juveniles as an alternative to jail and 
detention. Nearly 80 percent of those in jail have been identified as 
having a substance abuse problem and one-third of inmates reported 
being under the influence at the time of their offense. We must provide 
treatment in order to prevent recidivism and cycling through the 
justice system.
  My bill also improves services to help recovering addicts make the 
transition from treatment to the community, including housing 
assistance and help finding work, education, and mental health 
services. These things are critical to long-term abstinence and 
recovery.
  I ask for your help now in joining me to fighting the meth epidemic 
that is plaguing our country. This drug tears apart families and is a 
heavy burden on our communities, our justice and health care system. We 
must dedicate the time and resources to getting this problem under 
control and we must do it now.

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