"It's Time To Move Forward On Anti-meth Legislation"

For the first time in a long time, New York legislators are coming out of April with the adoption of the state budget well behind us and with our sights set on prioritizing the issues that will dominate the remaining two months of our scheduled legislative session. In my case, this means a continuing, bipartisan effort to address the dangers posed by the illegal drug, methamphetamine.

Legislators have introduced a range of meth-related proposals since the start of the 2005 session. These measures reflect an ever-growing, statewide concern that this drug has the potential to be as bad -- and probably worse -- than the crack epidemic our state experienced two decades ago. I’m sponsoring several pieces of anti-meth legislation in the Senate with bipartisan Assembly support. We’ve introduced, talked about and stressed the need for action on this issue. Now it’s time for the Senate, Assembly and Governor George Pataki to undertake the negotiations that will produce the new laws.

We can’t let this session go by without enacting tough new laws.

We can’t afford to wait. This fact was summed up recently by Steuben County Assistant District Attorney Brooks Baker. Asked about the meth problem in Steuben County, he replied, "It has the capacity to become our biggest drug problem very rapidly. It’s so close that it is clearly going to be an issue."

We’re fully aware of the threat this drug poses to our communities. The New York State Commission of Investigation issued a report earlier this year, "Methamphetamine Use & Manufacture," that examined in horrendous detail the tragic consequences associated with allowing a culture of meth to take root.

We’re fully aware that meth-related crime could be on the rise as the Southern Tier becomes a more attractive destination for meth manufacturers seeking to escape tougher laws adopted in the state of Pennsylvania in 2004, and under consideration this year.

We’re fully aware that the manufacturing and use of meth is not just a rural, upstate New York concern. The drug has become pervasive in New York City as well. It’s sparked statewide concern and, I’m hopeful, the kind of bipartisan urgency in state government that will lead to meaningful action in the weeks to come.

In March the Senate approved legislation I sponsor to create a new felony crime for "operating a controlled substance establishment." Property owners would be held criminally responsible for "knowingly and intentionally" allowing meth manufacturers to operate on the premises they own. I’m also sponsoring legislation to expand the scope of New York’s drug laws to make it easier to prosecute meth lab operators, and to create a new felony crime for the "criminal manufacture of methamphetamine in or near a residence."

The Senate will continue to advance these and other tough new meth laws in the days ahead. I remain hopeful that similar action is forthcoming in the Assembly. Each of the measures I’m sponsoring, for example, has bipartisan Assembly support and is sponsored by a high-ranking Assembly leader.

The Assembly recently approved legislation I co-sponsor to make it a felony to steal or possess stolen anhydrous ammonia, a common agricultural fertilizer that is a key ingredient in meth manufacturing. The Senate will soon give final legislative approval to this measure, and it will be delivered to Governor George Pataki to be signed into law.

That’s the first step for the remainder of this session: enact tough laws that allow aggressive law enforcement. But tough laws are only part of the answer. From here, we must remain focused on a comprehensive effort that includes ongoing public awareness and education.

I’ve said it repeatedly over the past several months, and it bears repeating: We can’t stress enough the importance of a regional army of law officers, district attorneys, legislators, news reporters, educators and others to help defend our communities. We can’t underestimate this threat.