Daines Introduces Bill to Combat Meth Use in Montana

Press Release

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation, the Mitigating the Methamphetamine Epidemic and Promoting Tribal Health Act, or the Mitigating METH Act, to combat methamphetamine use across Montana and strengthen Indian tribes' ability to fight this epidemic.

"Methamphetamine use in Montana is tearing apart families and taking lives," said Daines. "This is a crisis that needs immediate attention and more resources."

Additional sponsors include Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

Background:

In the 21st Century Cures Act, enacted in 2016, Congress authorized $1 billion in funding over two years to address the opioid epidemic.
Daines' legislation would make efforts to combat methamphetamine use, alongside opioid abuse, eligible for funding under the 21st Century Cures Act.
The Mitigating METH Act would also make tribes, like states, eligible to be direct grantees of this funding, better reflecting the government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States.

Methamphetamine Crisis in Montana:

Montana saw a 427% increase in methamphetamine violations from 2010-2015.
54% of all criminal investigations in Montana involve meth.
46% of all substances indicated in children's placements in the foster care system in Montana involve meth, a higher rate than any other drug.
There are 11 drug task forces in Montana, all reporting methamphetamine as the primary drug encountered.

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