Costa Delivers Remarks in Support of Meth Bill on House Floor

Washington, DC - Calling it a step in the rightdirection to "Rid our great Valley of this devastating drug" Congressman JimCosta urged passage of HR 3889; The Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Actscheduled for a vote today (?).

The pending legislation has in it all the qualities thatwill provide law enforcement agencies with the tools necessary to fight thisdrug problem. "By limiting access tocold medication, increasing penalties and funding law enforcement this billgives local and state officials the resources to dismantle meth in ourcommunities," Costa stated.

Costa pointed out that methamphetamines are California's largestdrug threat and the Valley suffers one of the highest rates of production anduse. Local agencies have seized over13,500 pounds of meth in the last three years. "These rates are alarming," the Fresnolawmaker noted, "and now is the time for federal, state and local officials towork together for a range of solutions.

As a Californialegislator Costa authored a law raising penalties for trafficking,manufacturing and sale of meth to the same level as heroin and cocaine.