00                    HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4                                                                    
01 Encouraging the establishment of a methamphetamine watch program.                                                       
02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                               
03       WHEREAS methamphetamine use and production is a growing threat to the State of                                  
04 Alaska; and                                                                                                             
05       WHEREAS the widespread availability of methamphetamine is illustrated by                                        
06 increasing numbers of methamphetamine seizures, arrests, indictments, and sentences;                                    
07 Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Kenai Peninsula, Southeast Alaska, and                                    
08 Fairbanks have all experienced significant problems with methamphetamine related crimes                                 
09 and methamphetamine laboratories ("meth labs"); and                                                                     
10       WHEREAS unlike many other synthetic drugs, methamphetamine is produced                                          
11 inexpensively in clandestine laboratories using ordinary household chemicals; meth labs can                             
12 be portable and are easily dismantled, stored, or moved; and                                                            
13       WHEREAS meth labs have been found in many different types of locations                                          
14 throughout Alaska, including homes, apartments, hotel rooms, rented storage spaces, and                                 
15 vehicles; and                                                                                                           
16       WHEREAS the process of making methamphetamine is highly dangerous, and can                                      
01 cause fires, explosions, and the release of toxic by-products into the environment; the                                 
02 production of one pound of methamphetamine releases poisonous gas into the atmosphere and                               
03 creates five to seven pounds of toxic waste; and                                                                        
04       WHEREAS according to the federal office of national drug control policy, last year                              
05 more than 3,000 children were rescued during seizures of more than 15,000 meth labs                                     
06 nationwide; and                                                                                                         
07       WHEREAS "mom-and-pop" meth labs, where people prepare the drug from                                             
08 ingredients in common household items, are dangerous to law enforcement and emergency                                   
09 response personnel, and cost the state millions in court costs, clean-up expenses, and foster                           
10 care costs; and                                                                                                         
11       WHEREAS Kansas has developed a voluntary public/private partnership program                                     
12 called "Meth Watch" to combat the methamphetamine problem, and similar programs have                                    
13 been implemented in 11 states; and                                                                                      
14       WHEREAS the purposes of the meth watch program are to engage retailers, law                                     
15 enforcement officials, state and local agencies, schools, and other key partners in reducing the                        
16 diversion of precursor products for the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine, to increase                           
17 awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine, to conduct a program of                                                 
18 methamphetamine abuse awareness in public schools, and to assist communities in educating                               
19 their citizens about the problems with methamphetamine abuse and meth labs;                                             
20       BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature urges the Department of Health                                 
21 and Social Services to take the lead in establishing a meth watch program in Alaska, to apply                           
22 for available grants from the federal government, and to request appropriation of matching                              
23 funds by the Alaska State Legislature if necessary, to encourage other eligible entities to apply                       
24 for funding from both government and private sources, to assist community organizations in                              
25 applying for funding and implementing local meth watch programs, and to help educate                                    
26 Alaskans about methamphetamine abuse and the presence of meth labs in their communities.