Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC) today announced that he will hold a Government Reform Committee field hearing on eliminating methamphetamine's influence in the Tenth District on Tuesday, April 11 at 10 a.m. in the Caldwell County Commissioners Chamber. This hearing – “Appalachian Ice: The Methamphetamine Epidemic in Western North Carolina” – will explore potential ways the federal government can assist state and local law enforcement agencies in combating the rising tide of methamphetamine use and trafficking.

“I met with local sheriffs and drug enforcement officials in February of last year to discuss solutions to the meth problem,” Congressman McHenry said. “As a result of that meeting, I introduced and passed legislation to double the prison sentence from 10 to 20 years for offenders caught manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of children.With the help of local leaders and law enforcement officials, we will continue making progress to stop meth’s hold on western North Carolina.”

Witnesses for the hearing are local sheriffs, law enforcement officials and a personal account of methamphetamine’s destructive influence in families. Please see the witness list at the bottom of this release.

Congressman McHenry is leading the fight against methamphetamine abuse in the Tenth District. As Vice Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Justice and Drug Policy, the Congressman has taken a lead role in crafting legislation to deal with this growing problem.

Congressman McHenry will welcome Chairman Mark Souder (R-IN) to chair the hearing; Souder is Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources. The Subcommittee is responsible for authorizing legislation for the Office of National Drug Control Policy and its programs as well as general oversight for all U.S. government drug control efforts (including international and interdiction programs, law enforcement, and prevention and treatment initiatives). 

Please see details below for this important event:

WHAT:
"Appalachian Ice: The Methamphetamine Epidemic in Western North Carolina"

WHO:
Congressman Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Congressman Mark Souder (R-IN), Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources

WITNESSES:
Sheriff C. Philip Byers, Rutherford County
Sheriff Gary Clark, Caldwell County
Mr. John J. Emerson, Drug Enforcement Agency
Mr. James Gaither, District Attorney
Mr. Van Shaw, NC State Bureau of Investigation
Ms. Lynne Vasquez, Personal Witness, Rutherford County

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 11 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:
Commissioners Chamber, Caldwell County Government Office, 905 West Avenue N.W., Lenoir, NC 28645