Provision Strengthens Penalty against Offenders Caught Manufacturing Meth in the Presence of Children (Washington)

WASHINGTON - Congressman McHenry's (R-NC) methamphetamine bill was signed into law today by President Bush as a provision in a larger law enforcement bill. The congressman's measure doubles the prison sentence from 10 to 20 years for offenders caught manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of children.

"Methamphetamine use is a growing problem across our region and a clear and present danger to our children, as more and more young lives are destroyed by this deadly drug," Congressman McHenry said. "My meth bill comes as the result of meeting with local sheriffs and drug enforcement officials last year to discuss solutions to the meth problem. The president's signature today is a step forward in the fight to curb meth's destructive influence in our streets and communities."

Congressman McHenry is leading the fight against methamphetamine use in the Tenth District. As Vice Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, the congressman has taken a lead role in crafting legislation to deal with this growing problem.

"Children are the silent victims of our nation's meth epidemic," said Congressman McHenry. "This provision toughens the law against some of our nation's worst criminals, the offenders who make this drug around children. I am going on the offensive against meth's hold in our region because our communities deserve to be safe, healthy and secure."

The provisions in this legislation are the most comprehensive federal laws to date targeting methamphetamine manufacture, distribution and use. Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the USA PATRIOT Act Additional Reauthorizing Amendments Act of 2006 (S. 2271) by a vote of 280 to 138.

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