The methamphetamine epidemic in the midwest was the topic of a Congressional hearing in Sioux City this morning. Iowa Congressman Tom Latham requested the hearing of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources. Latham says federal officials must support local efforts for them to be successful.Latham also talked about what local officials need to do.Latham feels the most important goal of the drug effort is to get parents to talk to their children about drugs. Latham says it’s the most effective way to keep kids from getting involved in drugs. Sioux City Police Chief Joe Frisbie says the creation of a regional methamphetamine training center was a key step in fighting illegal drugs. Frisbie says a tri-state drug task force also helped by allowing officers to pursue criminals across state lines.Frisbie says the drug problem does not exist in a vacuum. He says they create other problems such as filling up jail space. Congressman Latham is a member of the subcommittee that conducted today’s hearing.
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