Mcnerney-Backed Bill to Clean Up Meth Problem One Step Closer to Becoming Law

Press Release

MCNERNEY-BACKED BILL TO CLEAN UP METH PROBLEM ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW

Washington, D.C. - Last night, the Senate passed a bill supported by Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) to help communities across California and the nation clean up methamphetamine labs and the toxic mess they leave behind.

Rep. McNerney was a co-sponsor of the legislation, known as H.R. 365 in the House, which charges the Environmental Protection Agency with the development of health-based guidelines to assist state and local authorities in cleaning up former meth lab sites.

"Meth use is a critical problem for so many parts of the country and one of the concerns is what remains when a meth lab is abandoned," said Rep. McNerney. "Meth is often made in houses and apartments in residential neighborhoods. The toxic residue that remains after meth production could seriously threaten the health and wellbeing of the next occupants of that space - putting innocent people at risk."

H.R. 365, charges the Environmental Protection Agency with the development of health-based guidelines to assist state and local authorities in cleaning up former meth lab sites.

In addition to establishing the health-based guidelines, the bill would also:

* Direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to consult with EPA in developing technologies to detect meth labs, emphasizing in field test kits for law enforcement.

* Require the National Academy of Sciences to study the long-term health impacts of meth exposure on first-responders and on children taken from meth lab sites.

The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that more than 350 California meth labs were seized in 2006 - and over 6,100 in the five years prior.

According to a 2006 National Drug Threat Survey of state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation, meth was named most often as the greatest drug threat in communities.

With passage of the bill in the Senate last night, the measure will now be sent to the President's desk for his signature.

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