For Immediate Release:
Thursday, March 16, 2006

Fifty three people involved with a major meth trafficking ring were arrested in south central Oklahoma and north Texas earlier this month as a result of a 10-month investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement officials. Though this bust will have a lasting impact on the quality of life and safety of our communities, the federal funding that helped make the operation possible will be eliminated next year if the Bush Administration gets its way.

 

State involvement in investigations like this is made possible by the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. In Oklahoma, the JAG program provides the funding for our 24 drug task forces, which are our best weapon against the importation, manufacture and distribution of drugs such as meth. 

 

The JAG program is effective in dealing with meth abuse and related crime. By enabling state and local leaders to leverage resources in key areas, it facilitates collaboration among law enforcement, corrections, treatment and prevention programs.  Countless Oklahoma law enforcement officers tell me this systematic approach is critical. 

 

This is not the first time the administration has proposed scrapping the program. The same cut was proposed last year.  But because meth is a problem in every corner of the country, Congress reauthorized the program. I am hopeful Congress will show the same support this year.

 

I will do whatever I can to ensure the JAG program continues to be funded.  I recently signed a letter to House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle to express my support for restoring funding to this and other important anti-meth programs.

 

Our approach to fighting meth can't rely on just one solution or one program. The JAG program is effective in providing states the resources they need for enforcement, but more has to be done. 

 

Recognizing this, Congressman Tom Cole (R-Moore) and I introduced the Methamphetamine Reduction Act last year.  The bill is modeled after the effective Oklahoma law that put pseudoephedrine-containing products behind the pharmacy counter. Recently, portions of the Boren/Cole bill were signed into law as part of the Patriot Act. Pharmacies nationwide will now be held to the same sales requirements as Oklahoma's pharmacists.

 

Based on what we saw in Oklahoma, we expect this new law to deal a crippling blow to domestic meth producers.  Soon after the passage of the 2003 Oklahoma anti-meth law, the number of meth labs in the Sooner State dropped by 80 percent.

 

As Oklahoma's meth labs disappeared a new threat emerged – the increasingly accessible Mexican-made meth. The higher cost and stronger formula of this meth makes it more toxic and more dangerous.  We're seeing meth-related crime increase to pay for drug users’ fixes.  The imported meth is also much more addictive, placing a greater burden on our hospitals and treatment facilities.

 

Despite the progress that is being made against domestically produced meth, Mexican meth is taking our communities by storm.  This is why the funding that keeps Oklahoma’s drug task forces in operation must be restored.  Be assured, I will work day and night to see that anti-meth assistance like the JAG program gets funded.      

 

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