[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17301]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING RON GASTIA FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF BANGOR, ME

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                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2011

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bangor Police 
Chief Ron Gastia for his remarkable leadership in raising awareness on 
the bath salts crisis that is currently sweeping through the nation.
  Chief Gastia has been a trusted and effective member of Maine law 
enforcement for nearly three decades. Since becoming chief of Bangor PD 
in 2007, Ron has gone above and beyond to make the city safer for its 
residents. In particular, his exemplary response to the sudden 
emergence of the synthetic drug known as ``bath salts'' illustrates the 
impressive scope of his leadership.
  In the last year, Bangor and several surrounding areas have been 
flooded with a synthetic hallucinogenic stimulant known as ``bath 
salts.'' Although largely unknown a year ago, bath salts have become 
one of the preeminent health and safety issues in Maine. The reported 
incidents involving this highly dangerous drug have skyrocketed in 
recent months, reaching epidemic levels in Maine and throughout the 
country.
  Chief Gastia's efforts to raise awareness about this crisis have been 
remarkable. In addition to being vocal in the media, he was 
instrumental in working with state legislators to criminalize the drug 
in Maine. Further, on October 20, 2011 Chief Gastia briefed me, the 
Office of National Drug Control Policy Deputy Director Benjamin Tucker 
and an assembled body of federal law enforcement officials on Bangor's 
experience with bath salts. His testimony will be a valuable resource 
as drug enforcement agencies develop comprehensive strategies to 
address the emergency of synthetic drugs like bath salts.
  While much work still needs to be done to address the threat of bath 
salts, I know that the Bangor community and the State of Maine are 
fortunate to have Chief Gastia on watch. I wish him and the Bangor 
Police Department the best of luck as we continue to tackle this 
important problem.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in thanking Chief Ron Gastia for 
his tremendous service to the people of the City of Bangor and the 
State of Maine.

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