Senator Jones offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 34.

            A resolution to memorialize the United States Congress to take immediate steps to provide funding to the Drug Enforcement Agency for the cleanup of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories seized by state and local law enforcement.

            Whereas, Clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, or meth labs, are a serious problem in Michigan and many other Midwestern and Southern states. Meth addicts cook meth in makeshift labs that can be found anywhere, including private residences, motel and hotel rooms, apartments, mobile homes, rural areas, and even cars. These clandestine meth labs generally contain toxic, corrosive, flammable, or explosive chemicals and wastes that represent significant risks to the health of law enforcement personnel and the public. In addition, these chemicals and wastes can contaminate soil and water and present serious environmental threats. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), in 2010, there were 10,247 clandestine meth lab incidents throughout the United States, with 671 of these in Michigan alone; and

            Whereas, Cleaning up clandestine meth labs is complicated, time-consuming, and hazardous. The cleanup requires that law enforcement wear chemical protective suits and use special safety precautions and disposal procedures for the toxic chemicals and wastes. It takes thousands of dollars to clean up a single meth lab and restore the site to a safe and clean condition; and

            Whereas, Since 1998, the DEA has been funding the cleanup of meth labs seized by local and state law enforcement using funds provided through the Community Oriented Policing Services program, known as COPS. The COPS funding has enabled local and state law enforcement in the U.S. to clean up tens of thousands of clandestine meth labs, including 3,866 in fiscal year 2008, of which 300 were in Michigan; and

            Whereas, The ability of local and state law enforcement to clean up clandestine meth labs has been placed in serious jeopardy. During fiscal years 2001 to 2008, the DEA received COPS funding of $20 million each year to fund state and local cleanups. In recent years, however, the funding levels have been significantly reduced. Alarmingly, President Obama's fiscal year 2011 recommended budget does not even include COPS funding for DEA meth lab cleanups; and

            Whereas, Absent federal funding to clean up the toxic and dangerous sites left behind at clandestine meth labs, the public and the environment are put at risk. Local and state law enforcement are concerned. They do not know who will clean up the homes and apartments that housed meth labs or the farmers’ fields, parks, or state forest land where toxic meth waste is dumped. The absence of COPS funding for meth lab cleanups could lead to a crisis in Michigan and many other states struggling to deal with these clandestine labs; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize the United States Congress to take immediate steps to provide funding to the Drug Enforcement Agency for the cleanup of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories seized by state and local law enforcement; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.