WHEREAS, methamphetamine is a very addictive stimulant drug that is not only potent and long lasting, but extremely harmful to the central nervous system; and

        WHEREAS, methamphetamine is primarily manufactured in small illegal laboratories located in residential areas, and since these “meth labs” use caustic and volatile chemicals in the manufacture of the drug, representing a danger not only to those who operate and live within the laboratory, but also to neighbors and the environment; and

        WHEREAS, according to the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 10.4 million Americans aged 12 or older used methamphetamine at least once in their lifetimes for non-medical reasons, representing 4.3% of the U.S. population in that age group; and

        WHEREAS, according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 23.5% of state prisoners and 17.9% of federal prisoners surveyed in 2004 indicated that they used methamphetamine at some point in their lives; and

        WHEREAS, abuse of methamphetamine represents a serious problem that affects all Idahoans from all backgrounds and an effective approach to this issue will require a comprehensive and cooperative effort; and

        WHEREAS, the State of Idaho – including the Office of Drug Policy Enforcement, the Idaho State Police and the State Department of Health and Welfare – in partnership with the Idaho Sheriff’s Association and local law enforcement authorities, hereby reaffirms a continuing commitment to ending the methamphetamine epidemic;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “BUTCH” OTTER, Governor of the State of Idaho do hereby proclaim the month of March 2007 as the official beginning of Idaho’s

MARCH  AGAINST  METH

in Idaho, and do encourage all Idahoans to reaffirm their commitment to a lifestyle free of illegal drugs, and to educating themselves about the resources that exist to combat Idaho’s methamphetamine addiction problem.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 2nd day of March in the year of our Lord two-thousand and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-first and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred seventeenth.       

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE