Jeff Merkley on Drugs

Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State House

Step up enforcement to combat meth

Over the last decade, I’ve addressed several major public safety challenges. I helped pass a sweeping anti-meth plan that Governing magazine called the “nation’s strictest.” I’ve worked to develop a plan that calls for increased federal support to combat meth, add police to the streets, crack down on sex offenders, and protect victims of violent crime.

Right now in Oregon, meth is threatening our communities and casting a cloud upon the future of our state. To take it on we need to increase federal resources to prosecute meth producers. I’ll fight in Washington to add more federal prosecutors in Oregon and increase the capability of the Drug Enforcement Agency to investigate and arrest drug dealers.

We have to step up enforcement, but locking up drug dealers and shutting down meth labs is only part of the puzzle. I’ll also push for investment in proven meth drug treatment programs at the local, state and federal levels and strengthen sentences for property crime and identify theft.

Source: Op-Ed by Jeff Merkley in The Gresham Outlook Jul 26, 2008

Toughen laws against meth traffickers

Merkley says federal money should pay for 500 more police in Oregon. [Merkley proposes] a $309 million anti-crime package aimed at reversing Bush administration cuts in aid to local law enforcement.

Merkley hopes his crime-fighting proposals will respond to voter concerns about high levels of methamphetamine use and cuts to law enforcement in many Oregon communities.

Merkley wants the federal government to pay the costs of adding another 50,000 local police officers around the country, as well as additional prosecutors and resources for crime labs. He would also toughen laws against meth traffickers, toughen reporting requirements for sex offenders and expand federal laws against child pornography.

Source: By Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian Jul 2, 2008

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