Florida's Attorney General Bill McCollum
Relates his thoughts fight to stop the influx of Methamphetamine Trafficking in the US
From the Loft to the Streets
Hello Everyone,
Evelyn Here,
with a little late news from Attorney General Bill McCollum. The topic of Mr. McCollum article is the trafficking of the deadly drug Methamphetamine. However, before moving on to the Attorney General's article, I want to reinstate some of my personal thoughts and attitudes on the illegal drug trade and the battle the clean up our streets.
My thoughts and opinions on the subject of illegal drug trafficking and use on my own avenue is well known by now. For those of you, who have not read my articles, let me make the following statement.
Like many people, I possess a few major aversions to certain things and human actions, and the illegal drug trade, which is a deployable and unconscionable trade, is very, very high on my list.
In my past articles on the subject, I have tried bring awareness of the problems caused of illegal drug sell and use within my area. I must admit that lately I have seen some positive results. The pushers who were openly selling the drugs on my avenue have become low key. Does this mean that they have stopped? No. It only means that the pushers are at this time keeping a low profile, and that they now know that besides myself more and more people are aware of their actions and that these people ( their neighbors and mine) are neither ignoring the drug problem nor are they as tolerant as the pushers once thought.
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Bill McCollum
Attorney General
News Release
April 12, 2007
Attorney General McCollum Attends National Conference
On
Methamphetamine Trafficking
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today attended a national conference focused on combating methamphetamine trafficking in the United States. The event was sponsored by the National Association of Attorneys General and was attended by the Attorneys General of Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin, in addition to Attorney General McCollum.
“I am extremely pleased by the progress we are making as we collectively battle the trafficking of this substance that leaves so much human devastation in its wake,” said Attorney General McCollum, who moderated one of the conference’s panel discussions. “Nationally we must continue a strong, coordinated strategy that works to eliminate the production of this destructive substance. Additionally we have to remain diligent in our commitment to arrest and prosecute individuals who distribute this poison throughout our communities.”
The increased focus of law enforcement activity in this area coupled with safeguards put in place to prevent the purchase of large amounts of meth-cooking ingredients and multiple revisions to criminal sentencing are achieving desired reductions in locally produced methamphetamine. However, the market for this deadly drug still exists, and dealers are constantly looking for new ways to bring methamphetamine into communities.
Part of the danger associated with the production of methamphetamine is that the clandestine labs, often small enough to fit on a tabletop, can be located anywhere. In Florida,labs have been primarily located in rural areas such as the Panhandle and Central Florida, but have been found in all regions of the state. The labs are found in houses, mobile homes, sheds, motel rooms and even automobiles. Anyone in close proximity could be endangered. In recent years, states have experienced growing success in reducing the number of domestic methamphetamine labs. However, this has led to an expansion of interstate trafficking by methamphetamine dealers as they are forced to move their product over larger distances.
Speaking about the conference, Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell noted, "We are encouraged by the progress of law enforcement in the effort to detect clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and data reflecting a decline in locally produced methamphetamine. However, we realize that in any effort to confront the dangers of methamphetamine, a comprehensive approach must be taken. We welcome this opportunity to discuss developing trends and how to best coordinate our resources in confronting methamphetamine manufacture and distribution.”
Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker remarked, “Methamphetamine is a scourge on the citizens of our region. Tough laws are in place at both the national and state level to combat this problem, but that is just the first step. This conference will work to lay the groundwork on how we can best employ local, state and federal law enforcement efforts to end this plague on our communities."
“We’ve pushed through tougher laws to cut down on dangerous labs where criminals cook meth in our communities,” added North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper. “Now we’re working together to fight the criminals who are bringing drugs and violence into our states.”
Among the individuals who spoke at today’s event were Sherry Green, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws; Steven Whipple, Group Supervisor of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Atlanta Field Division; Scott M. Burns, Deputy Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
AND
April 13, 2007
A Message from Attorney General Bill McCollum
For the past two days I have been in Richmond, Virginia meeting with my
counterparts from around the country to discuss how we can best develop
a national strategic plan to eliminate the production and distribution
of methamphetamine in our states. Methamphetamine is a synthetic
stimulant which has quickly become one of the world's most heavily
trafficked illicit drugs, one whose influence on our communities brings
widespread destruction.
One of the dangers associated with methamphetamine production is the
clandestine labs used which are often small enough to fit on a tabletop.
Anyone in close proximity is endangered because the process used to
manufacture the drug involves powerful solvents and chemicals, some
which contain explosive elements or cause toxic exposure dangers. Labs
have been primarily located in rural areas such as the Panhandle and
Central Florida, but have been found in all regions of the State. The
labs are often built in houses, mobile homes, sheds, motel rooms and
even automobiles.
Working cooperatively with state and local officials, we are
experiencing increased success in reducing the number of domestic
methamphetamine labs. Unfortunately, this often leads to an expansion
of interstate trafficking by dealers as they are forced to move their
product over greater distances. We must remain diligent in our commitment
to arrest and prosecute individuals who distribute this poison
throughout our communities. I am extremely pleased by the progress we
are making as we collectively battle the trafficking of this substance
that leaves a wake of human devastation.
Drug trafficking, whether it involves methamphetamine, cocaine, heroine
or marijuana, is extremely harmful to our families, our neighborhoods
and our communities. As your Attorney General, I am committed to
fighting Florida’s war on drugs and keeping our state safe from this
serious threat.
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You can find more on my experiences with fighting the drug problems on my avenue in the archives of this blog.
Evelyn out.
Wednesday marked the 100th day I have had the great privilege of serving the people of <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 />Florida as Governor. I go to work each day with the understanding that you are my boss, and I am working to achieve your agenda. I established the Office of Open Government to hold our state government to a higher standard and with the help of the great leaders in the Florida Legislature, signed into law the Anti-Murder Act, meaningful and broad based homeowner’s insurance reform and the Teacher Bonus Bill. Additionally, non-violent offenders who have repaid their debt to society will now have their civil rights restored.
Every child in Florida deserves an equal opportunity to obtain a high quality education. Thursday, nearly 4,000 Floridians – students, parents, teachers and school administrators – traveled to Tallahassee to have their voices heard regarding school choice. Parents should have the option to send their children to a school that is the best fit. Corporate Tax Credit scholarships, like “Step Up for Students,” ensure that all Florida students have access to educational choice, regardless of their parent’s income.