U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that he is bringing Vice President Mike Pence to Billings next Wednesday (6/12) for a firsthand look at Montana’s devastating meth crisis. Pence will join Daines at the RiverStone Health Clinic for a briefing from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDAT) and the Yellowstone Substance Abuse Coalition.
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“Montana has a crisis on its hands. Mexican meth is pouring into our state and tearing our families and communities apart,” Daines said. “I’ve been fighting hard to tackle this growing issue all over our state and I’m very grateful to welcome Vice President Mike Pence to Billings next week to continue this fight. Together with the Trump Administration and folks all over Montana, we must win this fight for our great state.”
At the event, Daines will show Pence the benefits of his legislation, the Child Protection and Family Support Act, which was recently enacted in law. Daines and Pence will also be meeting with stakeholders, local law enforcement and other federal officials as they focus on a three-pronged approach to combatting Montana’s meth crisis: treatment, prevention and enforcement.
Daines has been a strong advocate for fighting Montana’s meth epidemic. Currently, Daines is working on legislation to address the rise in drug addicted births in Montana, as well as fighting for funding for meth-related federal programs that address the meth crisis.
More details on the event to come.
Background on Daines’ Meth Efforts in Montana:
In April, Daines held a roundtable discussion in Missoula with local law enforcement to hear from folks fighting Montana’s meth crisis.
Following the roundtable in Missoula, Daines sent a letter to Customs and Border Protection officials asking for specifics on meth seizures at the southern border.
In February, Daines visited Kalispell Regional Healthcare to learn about the hospital’s work with drug-addicted babies in their NICU.
In early February, Daines visited the Rimrock Foundation in Billings to see firsthand the growing issue of meth abuse in Montana.
Last year, Daines’ bill, the Child Protection and Family Support Act, to allow moms to stay together with their babies while undergoing meth abuse treatment, was signed into law.
Last October, the Senate passed comprehensive opioids legislation which included Sen. Daines’ Mitigating METH Act, legislation to combat meth use and strengthen Indian tribes’ ability to fight this epidemic. The legislation also included the STOP Act which helps stop illegal drugs from coming in at the border or being shipped through the postal service.
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