House Approves Amendment To Combat Tribal Meth Crisis

The U.S. House of Representatives late Friday approved the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act, legislation which includes an amendment offered by Congressman Rick Renzi (AZ-01) directing the ONDCP to study the inclusion of tribal governments as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. The measure, HR 6344, passed the House by unanimous consent.

Renzi's amendment directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to conduct a study & make recommendations on how best to combat drug trafficking in Indian County through the Dept. of Justice's HIDTA program. The goal is to improve drug trafficking efforts throughout the country, most notably in Arizona, which includes the Navajo Nation, the San Carlos Apaches, the White Mountain Apaches, the Yavapai Apaches & the Tohono O'odham Nation which is located just south of Congressman Renzi's district, near the Mexican border.

The purpose of the HIDTA program is to enhance & coordinate drug control efforts among local, state, & federal law enforcement agencies. The legislation has now passed in both houses of Congress & must now be signed by the President to become law.