Panel told of Indian meth crisis (Montana)

By NOELLE STRAUB
Gazette Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Federal officials and tribal leaders testified at a congressional hearing Wednesday that the methamphetamine problem in Indian Country urgently requires increased funding for prevention and treatment programs and more law enforcement coordination.

"The situation can be described in a single word: crisis," said Robert McSwain, deputy director of the federal Indian Health Service, at the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs hearing.

Methamphetamine has contributed to the high rate of violent crime in Indian Country, devastated American Indian families and strained resources of tribal law enforcement, health and social services programs, according to Matthew Mead, the U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming.

Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., who sits on the Indian Affairs Committee, asked Mead and the other witnesses what the special obstacles are to dealing with meth on reservations.

http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/04/06/news/state/40-meth-crisis.txt