House subcommittee looks at Indian meth use

WASHINGTON - A House subcommittee Tuesday took a step toward helping Indian communities battle crisis levels of methamphetamine use.

A House Judiciary subcommittee passed legislation sponsored by New Mexico Rep. Tom Udall, a Democrat, that would allow territories and Indian tribes to receive law enforcement grants to battle meth use.

Udall said larger meth legislation passed by Congress last year "unintentionally left out" Indian tribes as possible applicants for some grant programs. This legislation would clarify that law so the tribes would be eligible.

He noted that meth use has been disproportionately worse in American Indian communities, citing a 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That study reported a "past year methamphetamine use" rate of 1.7 percent for Indians and Alaska Natives and 2.2 percent for Native Hawaiians.....


http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/02/07/news/state/state12.txt