Durbin Receives Award for Leadership on Substance Abuse Issues

Press Release

Durbin Receives Award for Leadership on Substance Abuse Issues

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today received the Guardian Award from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. The award is given annually in recognition of leadership on substance abuse issues, and in appreciation of efforts to protect America's families from the threat of substance abuse.

"I am honored to accept the Guardian Award from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America," said Durbin. "Despite measurable improvements, drug use among teens still persists. I am proud to say that Illinois has been an innovative leader in its approach to preventing and treating drug abuse among young people. I will continue to work in the Senate to see that more funding for substance abuse prevention, treatment and research becomes available to ensure that fewer people become dependent in the first place."

This year, Durbin - a member of the Senate Anti-Meth Caucus - joined Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to introduce the Methamphetamine Production Prevention Act of 2007 to promote the use of electronic logbook systems by pharmacies to better track the sales of ingredients that could be used to make meth. His efforts also include sponsoring a bipartisan bill - the Family-Based Meth Treatment Act of 2007 - with Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) to improve comprehensive, family-based substance abuse treatment for methamphetamine addiction.

The number of meth labs seized by law enforcement authorities in Illinois has more than doubled between 2000 and 2005 - from 403 labs to nearly 1,000. Since 1997, the quantity of methamphetamines seized annually by the Illinois State Police has increased more than tenfold.

Last year, Durbin also helped pass legislation that funds training for state and local prosecutors and law enforcement agents to investigate and prosecute methamphetamine offenses. Durbin cosponsored the Combat Meth Act which was included as part of the PATRIOT Act and signed into law. The bill included funds set-aside for prosecutors and law enforcement agents for rural communities.

Durbin said that methamphetamine is the only drug for which rural areas in Illinois have higher rates of drug seizures and treatment admissions than urban areas. In fiscal year 2003, rural counties accounted for 79 percent of persons sentenced to prison for meth-related offenses.

"Pretending methamphetamine is a regional problem or one that only happens somewhere else is a grave mistake. Law enforcement is telling us they have a major problem on their hands in almost every county in the nation. It's time for Congress to provide them with the resources they need."

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America is a nonprofit organization uniting communications professionals, renowned scientists and parents. Best known for its national drug-education campaign, the Partnership's mission is to reduce illicit drug use in America. Now in its 20th year, the Partnership helps parents and caregivers effectively address drug and alcohol abuse with their children. A major new initiative now unfolding integrates the latest science and research with the most effective traditional media and digital communication techniques to give parents the tools, resources and support they need to help their children lead healthy lives.

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