Denny's Five Point Methamphetamine Action Plan

Ø     Ensure prosecutors and law enforcement personnel have effective tools and training.

Ø     Require federal forfeiture funds to be used for meth hazardous waste cleanup.

Ø     Foster anti-drug education grant programs.

Ø     Equip hospitals and clinics for effective drug-abuse treatment.

Ø     Urge Canada and Mexico to join in the fight against meth.

Meth in Montana

·           The number of Montana drug abuse violations reported to the FBI have risen steadily over the past several years 1998 -- 222 arrests / 1999 – 229 / 2000 – 398 / 2001 – 442 / 2002 – 725 arrests.  (Office of National Drug Control Policy, ONDCP)

·           Methamphetamine cases represented 52 % of all Montana DEA arrests during 2002.  (ONDCP)

·           In 2003, there were 19 incidents where children where reported living at a meth lab site. (ONDCP)

·           The 2003 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported 9.3 percent of Montana high school students stated using meth at least once in their lives.  The national average for high school students who said they had tried meth is 7.6 percent.

·           According to 2002 U.S. Sentencing Commission figures, 74.4 percent of federal sentences in Montana were a result of methamphetamine-related crimes -- the national average was 15.5 percent.

·           Approximately 98 percent of meth users become addicted -- compared to 10 percent of all alcohol users. (Meth Free MT)

·           Standard (120-day) drug treatment programs are ineffective for meth users, as it can take 12 to 18 months for their brain chemistry to return to normal.  (Meth Free MT)

·           Each meth lab leaves behind 5-6 pounds of hazardous toxic waste, with an average cleanup costs of $8,500.00 per lab  (Meth Free MT)

Fighting Methamphetamine

Congressman Rehberg:

ü      Is an active member of the U.S. House Meth Caucus.

ü      Supported the 2002 COPS Methamphetamine Initiative that helped create Meth Free MT.

ü      Is a cosponsor of the Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish, Neutralize, and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act (H.R. 13) that would provide more than $120 million in federal funding.

ü      Is a cosponsor of Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act (HR 798), which would

o       Establish a research program to develop clean-up guidelines to determine when a former meth lab is safe for human habitation.

o       Support research to develop meth lab detection technologies.

o       Study meth production biological effects with an emphasis on children and first-responders.

ü      Supported Drug Free Communities Programs grants that awarded $485,000 to Montana in FY 2003, and $360,000 in FY 2002.  (ONDCP)

ü      Supported Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs that awarded $34.5 million to Montana in FY 2002.  (ONDCP)

ü      Supported FY 2004 Byrne Formula Grant Programs that awarded $2,476,382 to Montana.  (ONDCP)