By Dan Miller

NACo First Vice President Eric Coleman pressed for national leadership on the methamphetamine crisis in his testimony before a joint hearing of the House Health Subcommittee and the Environment and Hazards Materials Subcommittee Oct. 20.

Photo by Dan Miller

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), center discusses the impact of methamphetamine use and production on county governments with Legislative Director Ed Rosado (left) and NACo First Vice President Eric Coleman (right) after Coleman’s testimony before the House Subcommittees on Health and Environment and Hazardous Materials.

Coleman called for Congress to dedicate money and attention to the growing problem, citing statistics from NACo’s recent meth survey showing that 58 percent of county law enforcement agencies reported that meth is their largest drug problem.

“A comprehensive and intergovernmental approach is needed to combat the methamphetamine epidemic,” Coleman said. “Necessary components must include law enforcement, treatment, child protective services, prevention, education, public health, environmental clean-up, research and precursor control.”

Coleman described the growing menace of methamphetamine abuse and the burden it puts on the various parts of county government.

“In many parts of the nation, county jails are becoming overwhelmed with inmates on meth-related charges, who often need greater medical and dental attention,” he said.

“Investigating and busting meth labs is requiring longer hours for county law enforcement personnel. Along with these law enforcement consequences, meth treatment, cleanup and removing children from meth houses are all painful reminders to a community dealing with meth.”

Also, Coleman noted NACo’s support for the Methamphetamine Remediation Act (H.R. 798), which would direct the EPA to establish standards for meth lab clean-up, as well as the Meth Endangered Children Protection Act (H.R. 2335), which would provide money to state and local governments to develop Drug Endangered Children teams.

During the hearing, Coleman fielded a question from Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) about the importance of the Byrne Formula Grant Program, now called the Judicial Assistance Grant (JAG) program. Coleman reiterated NACo’s policy on the program, saying that without the JAG money county budgets would be even more taxed than they already are.

Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff Ted Kamatchus, testifying on behalf of the National Sheriffs’ Association, joined Coleman on the witness panel. Other witnesses included Gordon Knapp, president of Pfizer; Mary Ann Wagner, senior vice president for pharmacy, policy and regulatory affairs for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores; as well as representatives from the EPA, DEA and HHS.

In his opening remarks, Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) personally recognized and welcomed Coleman.