Washington, D.C. —
Senator John Thune today offered an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Resolution that would provide $99 million in funding for the COPS Meth Hot Spots Program for 2008. This important program trains state and local law enforcement to investigate and lock up meth offenders.
You can access an audio clip of Senator Thune's remarks about the amendment above.
Senator Thune made the following comments:
"Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse has become a serious problem in South Dakota, particularly on our Indian reservations. Young people, ages 12-14, who live in small towns like those across South Dakota are over 100 percent more likely to use meth than those living in large cities.
"In addition to the costs associated with investigating, prosecuting, and locking-up meth offenders, there are significant environmental clean-up costs involved. The chemicals used to make meth are toxic, and meth producers and users often dump waste into our streams, rivers, fields, and sewage systems.
"My amendment would not only provide much-needed funding for law enforcement expenses associated with meth, but also for environmental clean-up to protect our lands and water systems from the harmful effects of this toxic drug.
"I'm hopeful this amendment will be accepted in the Senate so we can continue to crack-down on the growing meth abuse problem in rural states like South Dakota."
You can access an audio clip of Senator Thune's remarks about the amendment above.
Senator Thune made the following comments:
"Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse has become a serious problem in South Dakota, particularly on our Indian reservations. Young people, ages 12-14, who live in small towns like those across South Dakota are over 100 percent more likely to use meth than those living in large cities.
"In addition to the costs associated with investigating, prosecuting, and locking-up meth offenders, there are significant environmental clean-up costs involved. The chemicals used to make meth are toxic, and meth producers and users often dump waste into our streams, rivers, fields, and sewage systems.
"My amendment would not only provide much-needed funding for law enforcement expenses associated with meth, but also for environmental clean-up to protect our lands and water systems from the harmful effects of this toxic drug.
"I'm hopeful this amendment will be accepted in the Senate so we can continue to crack-down on the growing meth abuse problem in rural states like South Dakota."
