[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 170 (Monday, November 5, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13773-S13774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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    SENATE RESOLUTION 366--DESIGNATING NOVEMBER 2007 AS ``NATIONAL 
      METHAMPHETAMINE AWARENESS MONTH'', TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF 
                         METHAMPHETAMINE ABUSE

  Mr. BAUCUS (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Biden, Mr. 
Bingaman, Mr. Bond, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Corker, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Domenici, 
Mr. Graham, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Levin, Mrs. Lincoln, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. 
Roberts, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Smith, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Tester, 
Mr. Thune, Mr. Conrad, and Mrs. Dole) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 366

       Whereas methamphetamine, an easily manufactured drug of the 
     amphetamine group, is a powerful and addictive central 
     nervous system stimulant with long-lasting effects;
       Whereas the National Association of Counties found that 
     methamphetamine is the number 1 illegal drug problem for 47 
     percent of the counties in the United States, a higher 
     percentage than that of any other drug;
       Whereas 4 out of 5 county sheriffs report that, while local 
     methamphetamine production is down, methamphetamine abuse is 
     not (\1/2\ of the Nation's sheriffs report abuse of the drug 
     has stayed the same and nearly \1/3\ say that it has 
     increased);
       Whereas the highest rates of methamphetamine use among all 
     ethnic groups occur within Native American communities;
       Whereas the consequence of methamphetamine use by many 
     young adults in the Native American community has been death, 
     including methamphetamine-related suicides;

[[Page S13774]]

       Whereas crime related to methamphetamine abuse continues to 
     increase, with 55 percent of sheriffs reporting increases in 
     robberies and burglaries during the last year;
       Whereas most illegal methamphetamine available in the 
     United States is produced in large clandestine laboratories 
     in Mexico and smuggled into this country;
       Whereas methamphetamine labs are costly to clean up in that 
     every pound of methamphetamine produced can yield up to 5 
     pounds of toxic waste, representing a public danger to adults 
     and children;
       Whereas the profile of methamphetamine users is changing, 
     as \3/5\ of the Nation's sheriffs report increased 
     methamphetamine use by women and \1/2\ of the Nation's 
     sheriffs report increased use by teens;
       Whereas, in surveys on the abuse of methamphetamine among 
     teens, many of the respondents said that the drug was easy to 
     get and believed there is little risk in trying it;
       Whereas other National Association of Counties surveys have 
     shown that methamphetamine also places significant burdens on 
     local social service and health care resources, increasing 
     out-of-home placements for children, sending more people to 
     public hospital emergency rooms than any other drug, and 
     producing an ever-growing need for methamphetamine treatment 
     programs; and
       Whereas the establishment of a National Methamphetamine 
     Awareness month would increase awareness of methamphetamine 
     and educate the public on effective ways to help prevent 
     methamphetamine use at the Federal, State, and local levels: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates November 2007 as ``National Methamphetamine 
     Awareness Month'' to increase awareness of methamphetamine 
     abuse; and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States and 
     interested groups to observe National Methamphetamine 
     Awareness Month with appropriate educational programs and 
     outreach activities.

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with my colleague 
Senator Grassley, as well as Senators Alexander, Biden, Bingaman, Bond, 
Cantwell, Corker, Crapo, Domenici, Graham, Kerry, Levin, Lincoln, 
Murkowski, Roberts, Salazar, Schumer, Smith, Stabenow, Tester, and 
Thune in submitting a resolution designating November 2007 as National 
Methamphetamine Awareness Month.
  It is the sense of the Senate to increase awareness of 
methamphetamine and call upon the people of the U.S. to observe this 
month with appropriate methamphetamine educational programs and 
outreach activities.
  Methamphetamine is devastating families and communities across the 
Nation.
  It has been more than 1 year since enactment of the Combat 
Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. Methamphetamine lab seizures declined 42 
percent nationwide last year, as a result of regulations on the sale of 
pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. These are the over the counter drugs 
which are often used in the production of methamphetamine.
  But our work is not done. Methamphetamine is still the number one law 
enforcement problem. The National Association of Counties found that 
methamphetamine is the number one illegal drug problem for 47 percent 
of the counties in the country.
  Four out of five county sheriffs report that while local 
methamphetamine production is down, methamphetamine abuse is not.
  Methamphetamine users are changing. Three-fifths of the Nation's 
sheriffs report increased methamphetamine use by women. Half of the 
Nation's sheriffs report increased use by teens.
  Surveys on methamphetamine abuse among teens show that many of the 
respondents said the drug was easy to get, and believed there was 
little risk in trying it. Methamphetamine is still far too readily 
available.
  As a result, local social service and health care resources are 
stretched thin, and more and more children are being sent to foster 
homes.
  These issues are even more apparent within tribal communities. I am 
very concerned that the highest rates of methamphetamine use among all 
ethnic groups occur within the Native American communities.
  Last year, Carl Venne, Crow Tribal Chairman, testified before the 
Finance Committee. Chairman Venne told of the grave effects of meth on 
the Apsaalooka Nation. He said, ``There is no entity or organization on 
the Crow Reservation that is exempt from the devastating destruction of 
Meth.''
  And while the regulations under the Combat Meth Act have stifled meth 
production here in the United States, the production has shifted to 
keep up with the ever-growing demand. Most illegal methamphetamine 
available in the U.S. is produced in large clandestine laboratories in 
Mexico and smuggled into this country. We must do more to break the 
meth supply chain at the border.
  We must do more to end the demand for this devastating drug. We need 
to redouble our efforts and intensify methamphetamine education, 
prevention, and treatment. In this way, we show our resolve to bring to 
an end the problem of meth.
  Thus, I stand here today, asking my fellow colleagues on both sides 
of the aisle to join us in support of designating November 2007 
National Methamphetamine Awareness Month.
  Conducting educational programs and outreach activities in November 
will give us an opportunity to talk with folks at home and focus on 
ways to fight methamphetamine across America.
  I urge everyone to join us in support of this legislation.

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