[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 128 (Saturday, August 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE METHAMPHETAMINE BEST PRACTICES ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVAN PEARCE

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 3, 2007

  Mr. PEARCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about the terrible 
and destructive drug called Methamphetamine, or meth as it is more 
commonly known. Meth is destroying our kids, families and communities 
all over the country. The meth scourge is particularly devastating in 
my district, the 2nd district of New Mexico.
  Over the past year and a half, I have conducted over 50 town hall, 
school, church and community meth awareness visits. We all have a 
responsibility to educate our communities, parents, teachers and 
families about the dangers of this drug. Prevention, education and 
support of our law enforcement personnel are fundamental to fighting 
meth. However, the fight cannot stop there. We must provide those 
individuals who are addicted to meth the best available treatment. We 
must do everything we can to ensure that treatment centers and programs 
that are equipped with the best practices and methods to ensure long-
term success for people fighting to be free of this terrible addictive 
drug.
  Unfortunately, very little is understood in the treatment community 
about the Best Practices for treating this addiction. I have spent the 
past few months talking to the treatment professionals throughout my 
district. Repeatedly I heard that no one knows what the best practices 
are or what tools are needed for treating meth addiction. While there 
are successful programs, there is no uniform understanding of the best 
methods to ensure long term success. Research on treating this 
addiction must be undertaken in order to provide our treatment 
professionals, doctors and recovering addicts with the best possible 
chance for success.
  To achieve that goal and give our treatment professionals the tools 
they need I am introducing the ``Methamphetamine Best Practices Act of 
2007'' to direct the National Institute of Health to conduct a survey 
of research available to find the best practices for treating a 
methamphetamine addiction. In addition, I am asking NIH to report to 
Congress this information and tell us what other research may be 
necessary. It is imperative that we equip our treatment centers and 
communities with the necessary information to be successful in 
combating methamphetamines.
  Madam Speaker, we cannot stop meth use here in Congress. We can, 
however, give our communities the tools to win this fight. This 
legislation today will give our treatment professionals another weapon 
in their arsenal to fight meth in our communities. I want to thank my 
colleagues Representatives Leonard Boswell, Zach Wamp, Darlene Hooley, 
and Michael Michaud for joining me as original cosponsors of this 
effort. I strongly urge all my colleagues to support this bill.

                          ____________________