National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, 2006

Proclamation 8086 of November 27, 2006

National Methamphetamine Awareness Day, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Methamphetamine abuse shatters families and threatens
our communities. On National Methamphetamine Awareness
Day, we underscore the dangers of methamphetamine and
reaffirm our collective responsibility to combat all
forms of drug abuse.

Methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive drug that
dramatically affects users' minds and bodies. Chronic
use can lead to violent behavior, paranoia, and an
inability to cope with the ordinary demands of life.
Methamphetamine abusers can transform homes into places
of danger and despair by neglecting or endangering the
lives of their children, spouses, and other loved ones.
Additionally, methamphetamine production exposes anyone
near the process to toxic chemicals and the risk of
explosion.

My Administration is committed to fighting the spread
of methamphetamine abuse throughout our country. While
the number of teens who have tried this deadly drug and
the number of people testing positive for
methamphetamine in the workplace have decreased in
recent years, methamphetamine use is still a dangerous
public health problem. In the Synthetic Drug Control
Strategy released earlier this year, my Administration
set goals of a 15 percent decrease in methamphetamine
use and 25 percent reduction in domestic
methamphetamine labs over the next 3 years. To help
reach these objectives, my proposed 2007 budget
includes $25 million to help ensure that Americans have
access to effective methamphetamine abuse recovery
services and programs. Earlier this year, I also signed
into law the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of
2005, which makes manufacturing the drug more difficult
and imposes tougher penalties on those who smuggle or
sell it.

The struggle against methamphetamine is a national,
State, and local effort. To find out how to raise
awareness and to learn more about the battle against
methamphetamine abuse, concerned citizens may visit
theantidrug.com and methresources.gov. By working
together, we can build a stronger, healthier America
for generations to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim November 30, 2006, as
National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. I call upon the
people of the United States to observe this day with
appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord
two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.