Senator Patty Murray

As Washington state's senior U.S. Senator and the top Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the budget of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Senator Patty Murray has been committed to the fight against meth in Washington state and across the country. Senator Murray has witnessed the tragic toll that meth has had on families, neighborhoods, and lives and is working to make the federal government a steadfast partner in state and local efforts to stem the tide of the meth crisis.

Unfortunately, as the meth crisis has exploded into communities across the country, the federal investment in meth has not met the budget demands of local law enforcement and treatment programs. Those efforts, which represent the front line of the meth crisis, are struggling to fund programs that close meth labs, prosecute drug criminals and help with addiction recovery. By working to increase the overall federal investment, Senator Murray and many of her colleagues are finally raising the profile of meth within the war on drugs.

Senator Murray has thus far secured funding for a number of different projects that address the meth epidemic on several key fronts.

Fighting Cuts to HIDTA: One critical way Senator Murray has worked to support local efforts is by fighting Bush Administration cuts to funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). In 2005, the Bush Administration attempted to cut HIDTA funding by 56 percent, which would have made law enforcement efforts significantly more difficult. Thankfully, Senator Murray was able to prevail upon the Senate to restore the HIDTA funding by using her position as the top Democrat on the Senate Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which oversees funding the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Thanks to Senator Murray's assistance community policing programs that target labs, arrest smugglers, and prosecute meth related crimes will have adequate federal support.

Supporting the Washington State Meth Initiative: Senator Murray has also worked to create a foundation of federal support for the innovative Washington State Meth Initiative. Since 2001, Senator Murray has secured $15 million for the program which uses a multi-faceted approach that incorporates federal, state and local agencies, capitalizing on collaborations and programs that already exist. The program takes an intensive and pro-active approach that addresses the problem on every level.

Creating A National Meth Center in Washington state: Senator Murray is also looking to shape the future of the fight against meth by working to locate the National Training and Technical Assistance Center on Methamphetamine in Washington state. The operation would serve as a national center in the effort to fight the meth epidemic by assisting with federal, state and local efforts to enhance law enforcement, education and treatment. Senator Murray is working to secure the initial $2 million federal investment for the center in fiscal year 2007. Senator Murray understands that Washington state has been particularly wounded by meth but has also shown great leadership in local enforcement and treatment capabilities. Therefore, Washington state is an ideal home for a headquarters where successful tactics can be taught for replication across the country.

The statistics on the meth epidemic paint a grim picture. It is the single fastest growing drug problem in the country, and there have been few signs that the intensity of the meth epidemic is waning. Senator Murray believes that it will take a concerted effort by all level of government to begin to see success on this issue. Senator Murray will continue to advocate for funding and Congressional cooperation to address this highly addictive, highly dangerous, and highly destructive drug.

Find out more at http://murray.senate.gov/.