*EPF212 10/26/2004
Text: United States Launches Plan to Target Synthetic Drug Trafficking
(Abuse of methamphetamine, club drugs, prescription drugs growing) (1470)

The U.S. government is plotting a new strategy to target the growing abuse of synthetic drugs, such as prescription medicines, club drugs and methamphetamine, according to an October 25 announcement from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

The plan comes in response to a sharp increase in the abuse of these substances in recent years. The number of Americans estimated to abuse prescription drugs leapt from 1.6 million in 2000 to 6.3 million in 2003. Emergency room visits in the aftermath of abuse of these drugs has increased more than 160 percent since 1995, the ONDCP reports in a press release.

The new plan calls for specific actions to step up efforts in prevention, treatment, regulation and law enforcement. For instance, the report calls for a strengthened international chemical-control system to clamp down on the movement of such drugs across national borders. Trans-Atlantic traffic in such mind-altering substances as Ecstasy (various psychoactive substances, but primarily 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA)) has been a particular concern of authorities in recent years.

"With the unprecedented national and international cooperation generated by the implementation of this plan, the federal government will be a more effective partner in the effort to reduce the threat posed by synthetic drugs," said ONDCP Director John P. Walters.

The full report is available at http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/national_synth_drugs/index.html

The text of the ONDCP press release follows:

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OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY
News & Public Affairs
Monday, October 25, 2004

WHITE HOUSE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RELEASE FIRST-EVER COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE SYNTHETIC DRUG PRODUCTION, TRAFFICKING, AND ABUSE

PLAN FOCUSES ON METHAMPHETAMINE, PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AND CLUB DRUGS

(Springfield, MO)-John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy and President Bush's "Drug Czar," and Karen Tandy, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, today released the Nation's first comprehensive strategy for reducing the production, trafficking, and use of synthetic drugs and the diversion of pharmaceuticals. The Bush Administration's National Synthetic Drugs Action Plan enumerates Federal administrative, legislative, and enforcement strategies to assist State and local governments in their efforts to prevent the abuse of methamphetamine, prescription drugs, and club drugs; to treat those addicted to the drugs; and to impose strict penalties on those who illegally divert or traffic the drugs-either online or on the streets of our communities.

Director Walters said, "This Action Plan addresses one of our Nation's most serious emerging drug threats: synthetic drug abuse. The illegal trade in methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and prescription drugs exacts a brutal toll on our children, the environment, and the fabric of our society. All too often, state and local governments are forced to pay the economic and social costs of these crimes. With the unprecedented national and international cooperation generated by the implementation of this plan, the Federal government will be a more effective partner in the effort to reduce the threat posed by synthetic drugs."

Recent data indicate that prescription drug abuse, particularly of opioid painkillers, has increased at an alarming rate over the last ten years. Non-medical use of narcotic pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives ranks second (behind marijuana) as a category of major abuse among adults and youth. Emergency room visits resulting from prescription drug abuse have increased 163 percent since 1995. In 2003, 6.3 million Americans were current abusers of prescription drugs, compared to 1.6 million in 2000. Of these, an estimated 4.7 million used prescription pain relievers; 1.8 million used tranquilizers; 1.2 million used stimulants, including methamphetamine; and 0.3 million used sedatives.

A major emphasis of the Action Plan is to ensure that potentially addictive medications, as well as chemicals required in the production of methamphetamine, are dispensed and used safely and effectively.

DEA Administrator Karen Tandy said, "Today DEA and our partners are launching an aggressive Action Plan to enhance our fight against the criminal use of synthetic drugs, especially methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and prescription drugs. This plan counterattacks the virtual supermarket of synthetic drugs that confronts America's young people every day. Building on our many accomplishments, such as cutting teen Ecstasy use in half and all but eliminating the LSD problem, this plan bolsters our arsenal of law enforcement weapons to win our fight."

Nationally, drug treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine dependencies have been increasing. In 2002, nearly seven percent of treatment admissions nationwide were for methamphetamine/amphetamine, up from just one percent in 1992. Similarly, emergency room visits related to methamphetamine/amphetamine use increased 54 percent between 1995 and 2002.

Although methamphetamine production, trafficking, and use is often considered a West Coast phenomenon, recent data suggest that the problem spans eastward, hitting the Midwest particularly hard.

U.S. Representative Roy Blunt joined Director Walters and Administrator Tandy in Springfield today for the release of the Action Plan. Blunt, the House Majority Whip, said, "I welcome the White House's attention to this scourge that is destroying lives of the people who use and cook meth, putting their children at risk and creating a danger of fire and explosion for any neighborhood that has a clandestine meth lab operating in it. Sheriffs and prosecutors in Southwestern Missouri have told me that at least a third to more than half of all their reported crimes are directly or indirectly meth-related. Meth is responsible for murders and assaults, and thefts and burglaries used to support an addiction. Addiction is also responsible for domestic violence and abuse and neglect of children who are forced to live in that environment." He added, "Illegal methamphetamine manufacturing has to be stopped now and the cookers should know with certainty they are going to jail."

Jim Talent, U.S. Senator from Missouri added, "I am pleased to join Director Walters, Administrator Tandy, and Congressman Blunt to discuss the importance of combating synthetic drugs, like methamphetamine, in Missouri. Methamphetamine is perhaps the most deadly, fiercely addictive, and rapidly spreading drug Missouri has known. During the past decade, while law enforcement officers continue to bust record numbers of clandestine labs, meth use in communities has increased by as much as 300%. Missouri currently leads the country in meth production. The Administration's National Synthetic Drugs Action Plan is a step forward in decreasing the amount of production and trafficking of these deadly drugs."

Senator Kit Bond, also of Missouri, continued, "As I have said many times before, our towns and cities, and even national forests, are being overrun by meth cookers. Early on it became obvious that this was a different kind of drug epidemic. Rather than hiding in abandoned buildings and street corners of big cities, these criminals are working the back roads, rural areas and small towns of our states. Clearly this is a different kind of law enforcement problem that requires a different type of solution. Missouri law enforcement is a model for the rest of the country, from sharing manpower to addressing the clean-up problem, with the Missouri Sheriffs Methamphetamine Relief Team. I will continue to deliver federal resources to the front line, where the battle is won or lost. President Bush is an important partner in this battle and I am pleased that today this partnership has been made stronger. The Administration's new Action Plan will provide much-needed support to Missouri and other states that have been hard-hit by this deadly plague."

Governors across the country have been working to address the meth challenges in their states by implementing tough regulations designed to minimize the diversion of precursor chemicals and to maximize penalties for criminals involved in meth-related crimes against children and first responders.

Ohio Governor Bob Taft commented, "While our efforts to address this threat have been significant and positive, methamphetamine labs continue to cost Ohioans millions of dollars in clean-up and social service expenses. We welcome the Action Plan as a coordinated national effort to curb the damage caused by these drugs."

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher said, "Methamphetamine and other synthetic drugs pose daunting challenges to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We welcome assistance and support from the Bush Administration and look forward to collaboration in the future."

The Action Plan reviews synthetic drug abuse and trafficking trends; discusses the status of current efforts in prevention, treatment, regulatory measures, and law enforcement; and recommends actions in each of these areas. The Action Plan establishes a special Federal Synthetic Drug Working Group to ensure that the recommendations are rapidly and effectively implemented. Federal officials will seek not only to implement the recommendations rapidly, but also continually consult with State and local officials who are battling this problem on the front lines every day across the Nation.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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