Q: How is Iowa faring in its struggle against methamphetamine?
A: For most of the last decade, Iowa authorities have struggled to stay on top of the devastating consequences wrought by the dangerous, addictive stimulant called methamphetamine. The illegal drug, which can be smoked, snorted, swallowed or injected, is easy to make, affordable to buy and readily accessible in rural America. Users can experience paranoia, exhibit psychotic and erratic behavior and suffer strokes and heart attacks. Highly addictive, meth users can cook the drug in homemade labs using household ingredients, over-the-counter cold medicine and the farm fertilizer stored all over Iowa called anhydrous ammonia. Producing the toxic drug bears hazardous environmental risk and puts the meth cooks and any innocent bystanders, including the innocent children of addicted parents, in harm’s way. The highly flammable process can cause devastating flesh burns and inhalation of the ingredients can cause life-threatening damage to internal organs. Users say they get hooked on the drug’s stimulating, euphoric effects. Last year, Iowa authorities reported 771 meth production sites across the state. At an average $3,200 per lab, about $1.8 million was spent to clean up sites in Iowa just last year.
Q: What more can be done to curb the presence of meth in Iowa and the Midwest?
A: As a senior member of the Judiciary Committee and co-chairman of the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, I'm committed to a multi-faceted assault on the production, trafficking and demand for methamphetamine. When meth slips through the border and homegrown production takes root, Iowa communities need resources. A bill I got passed in 1997 makes federal matching grants available to local drug-fighting efforts, including community drug-fighting coalitions. Last year, I lead the effort to re-authorize this important community-support program that directs funds to where they are needed the most. Twelve Iowa communities are currently receiving funds through the Drug Free Communities Grant Program, and applications are now being considered for additional funds to be awarded this fall. This money would previously have been spent by the federal bureaucracy. Now it's at the local level where it can make a bigger difference. I want to help more communities in Iowa tap into this program. Also in 1997, I won designation of the Midwest as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. This creates a regional force to lead an attack against local drug trafficking and means more money for local communities to help combat meth. This year, eight Iowa counties and five multi-county task forces received support from the federal government through HIDTA. These initiatives are just part of what's needed to curb the presence of meth in Iowa. In addition to these two initiatives, I have fought for several additional treatment, prevention, and training resources for our State. Deterring drug use is up to each and every one of us. Family members, peers, community leaders, local law enforcement officials and educators can all make a big difference in stopping drug use. Only by working side-by-side can we make Iowa a drug-free place to work and raise a family.