EXECUTIVE ORDER
04-04
WHEREAS, methamphetamine is an illegal and highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, inhaled, smoked, or ingested orally. Methamphetamine can easily be made using store-bought materials and is the most prevalent synthetic drug manufactured in the United States. The ease of manufacturing methamphetamine and its highly addictive potential have caused the use of the drug to increase throughout the Nation; and
WHEREAS, the effects of methamphetamine use can include addiction, chronic physical and mental health problems, including psychotic behavior, and brain damage similar to the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, stroke and epilepsy; and
WHEREAS, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 12 million United States citizens reported trying methamphetamine at least once in their lifetime. The highest rate of methamphetamine use is among the 26 to 34 age group, with over 800,000 people reporting lifetime methamphetamine use during 2002. Furthermore, 9.8% of high school students in a nationwide survey in 2001 reported using methamphetamine during their lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement statistics show an exponential rise in the number of methamphetamine labs in the state, causing Missouri to be the nation's leader in the number of methamphetamine lab seizures. As far back as 1998, Missouri was declared a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area ("HIDTA") because of the number of clandestine methamphetamine labs located in the state; and
WHEREAS, the manufacturing of methamphetamine is very dangerous due to the fact that the chemicals used are volatile and toxic to the environment. Methamphetamine labs present a clear and present danger to the methamphetamine cook, their children, the community and law enforcement officials; and
WHEREAS, the effects of methamphetamine pose a serious and growing risk to the health, safety and welfare of Missouri citizens and the state's environment, making it necessary to address these increasing risks in a more aggressive, comprehensive and coordinated manner.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BOB HOLDEN, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by the virtue of the powers vested in me through the constitution and the laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby create and establish the Missouri Methamphetamine Education and Prevention Task Force. The Task Force shall consist of individuals from local, state and federal government, not-for-profit and private sector entities having an interest in addressing the education and prevention of methamphetamine use and manufacturing; and members of local, state and federal law enforcement, including representatives from community-based drug task force coalitions and the National Guard.
The Missouri Methamphetamine Education and Prevention Task Force shall work to reduce and ultimately eliminate the manufacture and use of methamphetamine throughout the State of Missouri. The primary goals of the Task Force shall include, but not be limited to the following:
- education of children, parents, communities, educators, retailers, health-care workers and others about the use and danger of methamphetamine manufacturing and use; and
- education of the public on the recognition and prevention of methamphetamine manufacturing and use; and
- coordination of public and private resources to address the education and prevention of methamphetamine manufacturing and use; and
- establishment of a central resource for information on the education and prevention of methamphetamine manufacturing and use; and
- coordination of efforts with the new Missouri Methamphetamine Treatment Task Force and the Missouri Methamphetamine Enforcement & Environment Protection Task Force to address all facets of the widespread problems created by the manufacturing and use of methamphetamine.
With the creation of this Task Force, I strongly encourage all citizens, agencies and organizations to aid federal, state and local officials to assist and support the Missouri Methamphetamine Education and Prevention Task Force wherever possible in the education and prevention of the illegal use and manufacture of methamphetamines.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 27 th day of January, 2004.
[Bob Holden's signature]
BOB HOLDEN
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
[Matt Blunt's signature]
Matt Blunt
SECRETARY OF STATE