By Staff
WASHINGTON – Congressman Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, applauded Wednesday's House passage of the Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act, H.R. 365.
The measure focuses on the clean up of former meth labs – sites that have lethal contaminants. These meth labs, most often found in residential settings, are contaminated not only with meth, but also other toxic residues associated with the drug's production – polluting the inside of the structure as well as the water and septic systems.
In Michigan, meth lab incident seizures declined by 16 percent after the state's methamphetamine law went into effect on July 20, 2005. According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Michigan reported 224 seizures from July 20, 2005 to April 30, 2006, compared to 267 over the same time period one year earlier. Upton is a cosponsor of the Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act, which overwhelmingly passed the House by a vote of 426 to 2.
"The unfortunate reality is that each and every one of our communities is vulnerable to the dangers of meth – it is a highly addictive drug that does not discriminate," said Upton. "This important legislation provides our local communities the resources they need to clean up highly toxic sites that were once meth labs, sites that can have deadly consequences if they are not cleaned up properly. We are quite fortunate in Southwest Michigan that our communities are united in their fight against this epidemic. Our Regional Meth Taskforces consisting of dedicated law enforcement officials, pharmacists, firefighters, right down to the individual neighborhood watchman, are making headway in the fight against meth. This legislation, along with our regional task forces, will help mitigate the lasting impact meth has upon our communities."
An extremely addictive drug, meth continues to damage the lives of individuals and families in nearly every area of the country. Its production and use has taken a considerable human and environmental toll on local communities. The process of making methamphetamine – in both large and small laboratories – involves at least one, and sometimes multiple stages with a significant risk of explosion and/or fire. Untrained individuals "cook" meth using toxic chemicals in makeshift laboratories, leaving behind dangerous residues that can coat the walls, furniture and floors of a meth lab.
Some of the chemicals used to produce methamphetamine have independent toxicity; when combined, they can have serious toxic and explosive effects. Some of the common ingredients in methamphetamine are: starting fluid (ether), paint thinner, Freon, acetone, anhydrous ammonia, iodine crystals, red phosphorous, brake cleaner (toluene), drain cleaner (sodium hydroxide), battery acid (sulfuric acid), reactive metals (sodium or lithium), and cold tablets containing pseudoephedrine. Every pound of methamphetamine produced can yield up to five pounds in toxic waste.
The Methamphetamine Research Remediation Act:
Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to develop model, voluntary, health-based clean-up guidelines for use by states and localities;
Authorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology to initiate a research program to develop meth detection equipment for field use;
Requires a study by the National Academy of Sciences on the long-term health impact of exposure to meth labs on children and first-responders.