Washington, D.C. - Today U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) joined with Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) and Meth Caucus co-chairs to introduce comprehensive anti-meth legislation created to attack each angle of meth trafficking - precursor control, international controls, environmental regulation, and criminal prosecution.

As a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, Larsen joined with his fellow co-chairs and Mr. Souder, the bill’s lead sponsor, to produce the Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act.

In the past, individual Members of Congress had proposed stand-alone legislation that would only address single aspects of the meth problem.

Larsen pointed out: “The Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act is so important, because it takes a big picture approach that will move us miles forward in helping our local communities fight meth.”

He continued, “This bill will put a chokehold on meth production, distribution and use.”

The Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act would:
· prohibit unlimited sales of pseudoephedrine and other meth precursor chemical products, and set a 3.6 gram-limit per transaction on sales of precursor products;
· authorize limits on the amount of pseudoephedrine and similar products that can be manufactured or imported to ensure that our supply matches legitimate need without creating a surplus that can be diverted to meth production; and
· regulate the wholesale "spot market" for precursor products.
 
The meth problem also extends far beyond our borders.  Most of our nation's meth now comes from "superlabs" controlled by major drug trafficking organizations in Mexico.  This bill also contains provisions to address this threat, including:
· amending the international drug certification process to require federal reporting on major exporting and importing countries of precursor chemicals, and holding those countries accountable;
· requiring the U.S. Department of State to engage the Mexican government in new efforts against meth producers and traffickers; and
· authorizing enhanced penalties for meth smugglers, and the "kingpins" of the major meth trafficking organizations.
 
The bill also toughens regulations and penalties that apply to meth traffickers who pollute the environment.

The Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security has scheduled a legislative hearing on the Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act for next week.
 
Including Larsen, Congressman Souder, and other Meth Caucus co-chairs, 33 House members are original sponsors of the bill.

“As co-chair of the Meth Caucus, I have worked to educate my colleagues and the federal government on the need to bring this fight to the federal level,” Larsen said. “I was honored to help Congressman Souder and my fellow Meth Caucus co-chairs sit down and hammer out this important legislation.”

Next Wednesday, the Meth Caucus will hold a roundtable discussion with representatives of federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department. The meeting will allow Members the opportunity to engage federal officials on the need for a comprehensive, federal strategy to fight meth.

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.