House Passes Renzi Amendment to Fight Meth on Tribal Lands

Measure Will Provide Tools for Tribal Governments to Fight Illegal Drug Use WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-1) on March 9, 2006, offered an amendment to the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act (HR 2829) that was approved by the House of Representatives. The amendment directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to include tribal governments as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The purpose of the HIDTA program is to enhance and coordinate drug control efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Renzi's amendment will direct the Office of National Drug Control Policy to specifically include in its drug control efforts the Navajo Nation, the San Carlos Apaches, the White Mountain Apaches, the Yavapai Apaches and the Tohono O'odham Nation which is located just south of Congressman Renzi's district, near the Mexican border. "Our reservations in rural Arizona are the central battleground in the war on meth," said Congressman Renzi. "We must aggressively fight this problem before it completely overtakes those living on tribal lands. My amendment will ensure the Office of National Drug Control Policy will work together with local tribal governments to combat drug trafficking and illegal drug use." Renzi noted that this program has proven to be an effective tool in combating the growing meth problem in other communities, and that breaking up these meth distribution rings will help fight the epidemic as it grows on the reservations and communities in rural Arizona. More than 90 percent of the meth seized in Arizona is smuggled across Arizona's southern border from Mexico, and mass quantities of meth are manufactured in superlabs across the border. These superlabs produce meth in its purest form - a highly addictive blend of toxins that is less expensive to purchase at the street level than to manufacture it in the United States. Hope MacDonald, Chair of the Navajo Nation Public Safety Committee said this amendment will help bring the weight of law to combat drug trafficking. "I have been able to meet with the Office of National Drug Control Policy and discuss our needs, however, Congressman Renzi's amendment will strengthen the Navajo Nation's relationship with this office and it's programs," said Chairwoman MacDonald. "We will bring the weight of law to combat drug trafficking across all jurisdictions. We are extremely grateful that Congressman Renzi continues to aggressively pursue remedies for us to maintain law and order on Navajo." Jaime Fullmer, Chairman of the Yavapai Apache Nation said the amendment will allow tribal governments to be a full partner in the war on drugs on local lands. "All of us in Indian Country are fighting this war because we want to rid our communities of this problem, and we know the best way to do that is to tackle the issue on the front end," said Chairman Fullmer. "This legislation allows tribes in Arizona to be active partners in the war on drugs, and we are very appreciative of Congressman Renzi's efforts." Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-1) offers an amendment to directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to include tribal governments as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. Renzi's amendment will direct the Office of National Drug Control Policy to specifically include in its drug control efforts the Navajo Nation, the San Carlos Apaches, the White Mountain Apaches, the Yavapai Apaches and the Tohono O'odham Nation which is located just south of Congressman Renzi's district, near the Mexican border.