HCR 4 - METH WATCH PROGRAM 1:13:04 PM CHAIR McGUIRE announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 4, Encouraging the establishment of a methamphetamine watch program. [In committee packets was a proposed committee substitute (CS) for HCR 4, Version 24-LS0693\G, Kurtz/Luckhaupt, 4/13/06.] 1:13:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor, opined that a methamphetamine watch program, which is encouraged by HCR 4, is an excellent step because preventative maintenance is better than criminal proceedings. 1:13:55 PM JANE PIERSON, Staff to Representative Jay Ramras, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor, on behalf of Representative Ramras, paraphrased from the following written sponsor statement [original punctuation provided]: Throughout the past decade there have been a number of public awareness programs, which have educated communities about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. Meth Watch is a voluntary program started in Kansas as a public/private partnership in 2001. Meth Watch educates communities about the perils of methamphetamine. Today, twelve states have implemented a Meth Watch program. Although a relatively new campaign, since its implementation, states have reported reductions in the number of methamphetamine laboratories, and have seen a unification of grant programs that fund the education of communities; particularly parents, teachers, and others that work with youth. The Meth Watch program engages retailers, law enforcement officials, schools, state and local agencies, and other key partners in reducing the diversion of precursor products for the manufacturing of methamphetamine, and increasing awareness about methamphetamine's dangers. The program is also instrumental in educating students and teachers in our schools and communities. House Concurrent Resolution No. 4 urges that the Meth Watch program be implemented in the State of Alaska, by applying for available grants, and encouraging and assisting communities to apply for funding from both government and private sources. MS. PIERSON characterized the "meth watch" program as a win-win program. She noted that although there has been across-the- state interest in implementing the program, someone must still be willing to champion it. Originally, the Department of Health and Social Services was asked to be the point person, but it seems that it would be best to have a private organization take the lead. 1:15:49 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS) for HCR 4, Version 24-LS0693\G, Kurtz/Luckhaupt, 4/13/06, as the work draft. There being no objection, Version G was before the committee. CHAIR McGUIRE, upon determining that no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HCR 4. 1:16:06 PM REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved to report the proposed CS for HCR 4, Version 24-LS0693\G, Kurtz/Luckhaupt, 4/13/06, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHCR 4(JUD) was reported from the House Judiciary Standing Committee.