Senate Supports Methamphetamine Prevention Week

On May 15, the Senate approved a resolution (S. Res. 313), by unanimous consent, expressing the sense of the Senate that a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week should be established.

Sponsored by Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

• Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, man-made drug that can be injected, snorted, smoked, or ingested orally, the effects of which include feelings of euphoria that last for up to 24 hours and psychotic behavior such as auditory hallucinations, mood disturbances, delusions, and paranoia, potentially causing the user to experience homicidal or suicidal thoughts as well as violent behavior and brain damage;
• Methamphetamine is easily produced in clandestine laboratories, known as “meth labs,” using a variety of volatile and toxic ingredients available in stores, and presents a danger to the individual preparing the methamphetamine, the community surrounding the laboratory, and the law enforcement personnel who discover the laboratory;
• Studies have found that methamphetamine use is strongly linked to identity theft, domestic violence, overall crime rates, child abuse, and child neglect;
• The National Association of Counties has conducted surveys with law enforcement and child welfare officials in more than 500 counties, and found that 87 percent of all law enforcement agencies surveyed reported increases in methamphetamine-related arrests in recent years, and 40 percent of all the child welfare officials in the survey reported increased out-of-home placements of children due to methamphetamine use; and
• The establishment of a National Methamphetamine Prevention Week would increase awareness of methamphetamine and educate the public on effective ways to help prevent methamphetamine use at the international, federal, state, and local levels.