Renzi (AZ01) - Press Release - House Approves Renzi Amendment Combating Meth Crisis on Tribal Lands

CONGRESSMAN RICK RENZI (AZ-1)
Rural Arizona’s Voice in the House of Representatives

	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	CONTACT:
	December 11, 2006	Vartan Djihanian – 202-226-8273


	House Approves Renzi Amendment Combating Meth Crisis on Tribal Lands Measure Provides Tribal Governments with the tools to Fight Illegal Drug Use
	WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives late Friday approved the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Reauthorization Act, legislation which includes an amendment offered by Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-01) directing the ONDCP to study the inclusion of tribal governments as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The measure, HR 6344, passed the House by unanimous consent. “The meth problem on our tribal lands has reached crisis levels,” said Congressman Renzi. “This legislation ensures that our tribes have the tools they need to tackle the war on drugs head-on. I applaud my colleagues for approving this important legislation, taking another critical step in fighting the growing meth problem on our tribal lands,” said Congressman Renzi. Renzi’s amendment directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to conduct a study and make recommendations on how best to combat drug trafficking in Indian County through the Department of Justice’s HIDTA program. The goal is to improve drug trafficking efforts throughout the country, most notably in Arizona, which includes the Navajo Nation, the San Carlos Apaches, the White Mountain Apaches, the Yavapai Apaches and the Tohono O’odham Nation which is located just south of Congressman Renzi’s district, near the Mexican border. The purpose of the HIDTA program is to enhance and coordinate drug control efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The legislation has now passed in both houses of Congress and must now be signed by the President to become law. # # #

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