Pubdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2004
Source: Agri News (MN)
Copyright: 2004 Agri News
Contact: http://www.agrinews.com/letters.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3267
Website: http://www.agrinews.com/
Author: Laura Theobald
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

SOUTH DAKOTANS, MINNESOTANS CONCERNED ABOUT METH EPIDEMIC

WASHINGTON -- In response to the rise of methamphetamine labs in the
Midwest and rural areas, U.S. Senator Tim Johnson, D-S.D., has drafted
legislation aimed at lab clean-up.

Johnson's bill would use money from the Forfeiture Fund in the
Department of the Treasury to pay local and state law enforcements for
clean-up of meth labs on public land. On private land, payments would
be made up to 90 percent of the cost, providing that the owner had no
knowledge of the lab, and that once they discovered it, they contacted
authorities within 24 hours.

"One pound of meth creates seven pounds of toxic waste," Johnson said.
Costs of clean-ups cost can run anywhere from $3,000 to $100,000.

The Forfeiture Fund is money taken from drug seizures and is currently
used to pay informants, undercover drug detectives and similar tasks.
Johnson's bill would broaden the uses of that money.

Johnson said he will introduce his legislation either as its own bill
or attached to another.

"I think the important thing is to get the language done, and we have
that now," Johnson said. "And we're ready to go."

If another piece of legislation is moving faster, such as an anti-drug
bill or a rural revitalization bill, Johnson's bill might be attached
to it.

"I think he just wants to see the bill move as fast as possible," said
Julianne Fisher, a Johnson aide.

In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has also responded to the increase of
meth by declaring Feb. 4 Meth Awareness Day.

"Methamphetamine use is on the rise in Minnesota and across the
country," Pawlenty said in a released statement. "It's a serious and
growing problem that requires the attention of elected officials, law
enforcement and concerned citizens."

The awareness day was planned to teach lawmakers and the public about
the dangers of meth use.

Exhibits in the rotunda of the Capitol displayed information on the
spread of meth and testimony from addicts. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake