Washington, D.C. — Today the House passed legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), U.S. Representative Dennis Cardoza (CA-18) and U.S. Representative Darlene Hooley (OR-5) to reauthorize $20 million for a grant program that helps children exposed to the hazards of illegal drug use and production. The Drug Endangered Children Act of 2007 (H.R. 1199) directs the Department of Justice to make grants available to states to provide comprehensive services to help children living in a home where meth or other illegal drugs are manufactured, sold or used.  The bill passed the House today by a vote of 389 to 4.

“Children are often the silent victims of drug abuse,” said Larsen, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine. “Meth users sometimes leave their children unattended for days in toxic labs as they cook, use and then sleep off the intense effects of methamphetamine.  This important initiative helps children endangered by drugs make the transition to a safe environment and recover from the dangers they have faced.”

Children who live or spend time in meth labs and other drug-production sites face a variety of health and safety risks, including abuse and neglect, fires and explosions, and exposure to toxic chemicals, drugs or contaminated foods that can cause a range of life-threatening health problems.

The Drug Endangered Children grant program was created as part of the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005, the first-ever comprehensive federal legislation to tackle meth crime and abuse.

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