Jeff Bingaman: “I thank my colleague. I congratulate Senator Talent and Senator Cantwell for their leadership on this amendment related…”

“I thank my colleague. I congratulate Senator Talent and Senator Cantwell for their leadership on this amendment related to methamphetamine use and the epidemic of that use in my State and in many parts of the country. I have had a series of meetings with law enforcement and local officials throughout New Mexico over the last year. During that time, one thing rings loudly and clearly: That is that the chief law enforcement problem facing many of our communities in New Mexico is methamphetamine use; not just the use itself but all of the resulting crime that occurs by virtue of people using this terrible drug. The addiction is very difficult to shake once you become addicted. We have done way too little to alert young people in our country, as well as adults, about the dangers involved. We see catastrophic, tragic results in many of our communities. This funding will help. It will allow the Federal Government to assist local law enforcement to some extent in coming to grips with this. I compliment the Senators on this amendment.”