Senate Passes Harkin-Pushed Meth Enforcement Legislation

Harkin is leading major bipartisan push to boost Iowa's crime & meth prevention funding

February 12, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Late last night, the Senate unanimously approved legislation U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) pushed to ensure that retailers are compliant with Combat Meth Act regulations to curb the spread of methamphetamines in communities.

Harkin is a co-sponsor of the Combat Methamphetamine Enforcement Act, which requires retailers to self-certify that they have trained personnel about the Combat Meth regulations, including placing cold medications containing pseudoephedrine behind the pharmacy counter, limiting daily sales, and keeping logbook entries of purchases. These regulations have been critical in preventing meth cooks from accessing ingredients.

“Meth continues to plague Iowa destroying lives, families and entire communities,” said Harkin. “This critical legislation will ensure adherence to the Combat Meth Act and give Iowa’s law enforcement officers the tools they need to fight meth and keep Iowans drug-free. Fighting meth requires a comprehensive approach - we must help local law enforcement and prosecutors focus on cooks and traffickers while enhancing education and treatment options for those addicted to this dangerous drug.”

The law also requires distributors of pseudoephedrine products to sell only to retailers who have filed self-certification requirements, requires the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to publish a list of retailers who have filed self-certification on the DEA website, and clarifies that retailers who negligently fail to file self-certifications can be subject to fines and penalties.

In an effort to support law enforcement officials seeking to fight the meth plague and crime in their communities, Senator Harkin is leading a bipartisan effort to increase funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program to $660 million. This would increase Iowa’s estimated share of 2008 funding from $1.5 million to $6.1 million.

Byrne Grants provide federal funding to communities seeking to band together to prevent crime. The program funds drug task forces that have been vital in reducing methamphetamine labs around the country. In 2007, the grant provided the means for the Iowa Drug Task Force to seize more than 3,300 pounds of drugs. Byrne also helps pay for police, technology and crime prevention programs. The grant has also resulted in major innovations in crime control, including drug courts, gang prevention strategies and prisoner reentry programs.

Harkin has long been a Senate leader in fighting the methamphetamine epidemic plaguing our families and communities. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he has worked to provide resources for law-enforcement to curb the distribution of dangerous meth making chemicals and locking up fertilizer, fought for funding to prevent meth use through comprehensive school and community-based prevention efforts, and worked to ensure resources for treatment programs. Senator Harkin was also an original co-sponsor of the Combat Meth Act and last year, he introduced comprehensive meth legislation that would increase access to treatment services and provide resources for communities to prevent meth abuse.

Source: Senator Tom Harkin

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