Substitute for Senate Resolution No. 101

            A resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to provide funding to help states and local communities clean up and address the disastrous effects of clandestine methamphetamine labs.

            Whereas, There is a meth epidemic in the United States, and it is having a devastating effect on our country. Meth abuse is causing social, economic, and environmental problems. Children residing in homes with meth labs live in danger and often suffer from neglect and abuse. Meth production costs citizens and governments millions of dollars for a variety of reasons, including law enforcement costs, drug treatment for offenders, cleanup of production sites, and placement of endangered children; and

            Whereas, Meth labs leave behind a toxic mess of chemicals and pose a significant danger to communities. The manufacture of one pound of methamphetamine results in six pounds of waste. These wastes include corrosive liquids, acid vapors, heavy metals, solvents, and other harmful materials that can disfigure skin or cause death. Hazardous materials from meth labs are typically disposed of illegally and may cause severe damage to the environment; and

            Whereas, Between 1992 and 2004, the number of clandestine meth lab-related cleanups increased from 394 to over 10,000 nationwide. The cost of cleaning up clandestine labs in FY 2004 was approximately $17.8 million; and

            Whereas, States and local governments are bearing the burden of funding the cleanup efforts. Many local communities are finding and seizing meth labs. The lab sites remain dangerous to the public, however, because neither the state or the local community has adequate funding to clean them up; and

            Whereas, The Combat Meth Act of 2005, which was recently signed into law as a part of the USA Patriot Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, authorizes cleanup funding, but only for areas designated "Meth Hot Spots." The meth epidemic is a national crisis, however, and scores of states and local governments across the country are in dire need of funding to help clean up clandestine labs; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the United States Congress to provide funding for meth lab cleanup that is available to all states and local governments that are in the midst of the meth epidemic; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.