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2005 - C �,)() <br />0 RESOLUTION <br />WHEREAS, methamphetamine or "meth" is a highly addictive and destructive <br />drug that has reached epidemic proportions across North Carolina and the rest of the <br />United States in rural, suburban and urban counties; and <br />WHEREAS, meth can be easily manufactured in almost any setting from <br />common household chemicals, such as cold medicine; and <br />WHEREAS, meth use has a wide range of consequences, including <br />contamination of the environment, violent and reckless behavior by the users, and <br />jeopardizing the well being of children and the entire community where it is found; and <br />WHEREAS, prevention and education are critically important to combating meth <br />use: and <br />WHEREAS, alarming rates of children are found at meth labs where they are <br />living in deplorable conditions and are vulnerable to neglect and abuse; and <br />WHEREAS, methamphetamine abuse leads to many health problems for users <br />and those around them. Long -term health risks associated with meth use include tooth <br />• decay, depression, pulmonary and neurological challenges. Children who arc exposed to <br />these hazardous chemicals during production and use may also develop neurological and <br />pulmonary diseases, which will lead to learning disabilities; and <br />WHEREAS, for each pound of methamphetamine that is produced, five to seven <br />pounds of toxic waste is also produced. This waste is often introduced into the <br />environment through septic systems, streams, and groundwater; and <br />WHEREAS. treatment for methamphetamine addiction has been found to be <br />effective when the user is willing to accept it and where it is available; and <br />WHEREAS, research has shown an additive to anhydrous ammonia is effective <br />at reducing the production value of meth, while still being useful as a fertilizer for <br />production of agriculture products; and <br />WHEREAS. there is currently no remediation guidelines for individuals and <br />local governments to follow to cleanup a former meth lab; and <br />WHEREAS, a comprehensive solution strategy is needed to fight meth to include <br />law enforcement, treatment, education, prevention, research, cleanup, child protective <br />services, and predecessor control; and <br />® WHEREAS, several bills have been inuroduced in Congress and the North <br />Carolina General Assembly to combat the methamphetamine plague. <br />C <br />