Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) moderated a Meth Caucus roundtable discussion that allowed Members of Congress to pointedly question federal agency representatives on the administration’s response to the meth epidemic.

As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, Larsen moderated the discussion. The roundtable included 20 Members of Congress and representatives from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department. The meeting allowed Members the opportunity to engage federal officials on the need for a comprehensive, federal strategy to fight meth.

He released the following statement:

“Washington and other West Coast states continue to be ground zero for the meth epidemic plaguing our country and our communities. While the meth scourge may have started west, it is quickly moving eastward and must be stopped.

“The Meth Caucus offered today’s discussion as a way for Congress to express its frustration directly to this administration for its slow and inadequate response to the meth epidemic.

“The discussion was positive. It represented the first in what I hope is a series of productive conversations that will move the ball forward in our efforts to combat meth and the destruction that it is wreaking.

“For too long the fight against meth has been fought on a grassroots level, using a bottom-up approach. Frankly, our communities have done all they can to beat back this problem. They need some top-down, federal help.

“Today the Administration heard loud and clear that Congress wants the federal government to develop a comprehensive and aggressive federal strategy to fight meth.

“The Meth Caucus will continue its efforts to push for a comprehensive legislative strategy, adequate resources to fight meth, and a renewed push to add treatment and prevention to our efforts.”

The Meth Caucus is made up of 127 Members of Congress. Among other goals the Caucus works to raise national awareness of the dangers posed by meth abuse and to advance strong public policy to fight against meth manufacturing, distribution and use.