For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, September 28, 2005

WASHINGTON D.C - U.S. Representative Dan Boren today questioned Bush Administration officials about its response to the nation’s methamphetamine epidemic.  In a roundtable discussion Boren, and other members of the Congressional Meth Caucus, discussed the federal government’s role in helping state and local authorities battle the scourge of meth.     

 

Boren talked about the need to tighten restrictions at the borders and curtail the flood of Mexican manufactured meth into the U.S.  “Our federal immigration laws are making it more difficult for local law enforcement to curb the supply of methamphetamine entering our communities from Mexico,” Boren said. 

 

“The influx of potent Mexican-made meth has gradually replaced the declining mom and pop meth labs in Oklahoma since the enactment of our state anti-meth law in 2003.  To curtail Oklahoma’s continuing meth problem, we must first address weaknesses in our federal immigration laws,” Boren said.

 

Boren also acknowledged a need for the Administration to get behind a national anti-meth law.  Boren, along with Rep. Tom Cole (R-Moore), introduced the Methamphetamine Reduction Act in the U.S. House, a bill that mirrors the Oklahoma anti-meth law.

 

Boren’s legislation would move medicines containing pseudoephedrine, the crucial ingredient to make meth, behind pharmacy counters.  As in Oklahoma, consumers would be required to present a photo I.D. and sign for medicines containing the ingredient.  “These changes in law would require no additional spending or new government programs,” Boren added.

 

“Oklahoma was the nation’s laboratory for how to deal with the meth problem. My legislation builds on that success by enacting tough standards to curtail meth production,” Boren explained.       

 

Panelists included agency representatives from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of state, the Office of national Drug Control Policy, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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