RESOURCES NEEDED FOR METH PROBLEM

It will take communities and Congress working together to battle a
force as strong as methampetamine abuse, said U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer.

Cramer, D-Ala., called together district attorneys, Alabama
Department of Human Resource officials and community leaders from
Limestone and other North Alabama counties Monday for a meth
prevention and enforcement summit in Madison. "More organization and
resources need to be put on the front line," Cramer said after the meeting.

According to statistics from Drug Enforcement Agency,
methamphetamines are the biggest drug threat in Alabama. In 2004, the
state reported 385 meth lab incidents, which was the 10th highest
number in the nation.

"We've seen some trends change," he said.

For example, a law was passed regarding purchasing drugs that contain
at least one ingredient used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
"The methamphetamine problem is not a problem that can be overcome by
Congress alone, nor is it a battle our states and local communities
can win by themselves," Cramer said in a press release.

"We must fight the battle against meth together and collectively use
our resources to better prepare North Alabama to defeat this epidemic."

Monday's meeting was the third forum Cramer has hosted.

Cramer said that when crystal meth labs are setup for enough time in
a residence it contaminates that residence.

According to Cramer, there needs to be a register of where labs are busted.

Cramer is a member of several committees and leads congressional
efforts to fund certain programs that provide assistance to law
enforcement to combat meth.

Cramer has also secured funds to help Alabama law enforcement
agencies curb meth usage.