Congressman Rick Larsen

Rep. Rick Larsen represents the 2nd Congressional District of Washington located in the northwest corner of the state. Now in his third term, Larsen is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Agriculture Committee.

Rep. Larsen believes the federal government needs to treat the meth epidemic with the same amount of urgency and commitment that state and local governments and grassroots groups have been treating it with for years.

Washington state serves as a model for other states in how to effectively fight methamphetamine and Larsen is proud to help in that fight.

Larsen became co-chair of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine in 2003. In that role he has worked to direct congressional attention to our nation’s growing methamphetamine epidemic. The Meth Caucus was formed in 2000 with the goal of raising national awareness of the dangers posed by meth abuse and to advance strong public policy to fight against meth manufacturing, distribution, and use. Through the Meth Caucus, Larsen sponsors forums for Members and staff to learn more about the dangers of methamphetamine.

In 2005, Larsen helped write the first-ever comprehensive piece of meth legislation to be signed into law, the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act. This legislation attacks each angle of meth trafficking - precursor control, international controls, environmental regulation, and criminal prosecution. It was incorporated into the PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-177) and was signed into law on March 9, 2006.

Through the Meth Caucus, Larsen takes the lead each year in advocating for federal programs that impact the fight against methamphetamine. He and his colleagues have been successful in preserving the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program and the Community Oriented Policing Services program, both of which the President has tried to eliminate. These important programs enable cooperation and coordination among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as they work together to protect our communities and bust drug trafficking rings. Larsen has also advocated for more prevention resources and has secured federal dollars for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. In the 2006 appropriations cycle, Larsen worked to secure $5 million for a drug endangered children grant program to improve coordination between state and local agencies that provide assistance to children found in drug infested homes.

Larsen also works with the Washington delegation each year to secure federal funds for the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative, which combats the meth epidemic state-wide with law enforcement, treatment professionals, and prevention experts working together.

Find out more at http://www.house.gov/larsen/.