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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

WASHINGTON — At United States Rep. Virginia Foxx’s request, Watauga County Sheriff Mark Shook spent the afternoon on Capitol Hill testifying about his experiences fighting methamphetamine (meth) in Northwest North Carolina.

“It was truly an honor to join Virginia Foxx in Washington, D.C. to fight meth abuse,” said Sheriff Shook. "Like me, Congresswoman Foxx is committed to eliminating meth in Watauga County and nationwide. Her tenacity during the hearing left me feeling hopeful about our prospects, and thankful for her representation."

The Sheriff testified before the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources in a hearing entitled “Fighting Meth in America’s Heartland: Assessing the Impact on Local Law Enforcement and Child Welfare Agencies.” This hearing continued the Subcommittee’s ongoing study of how meth is adversely affecting our nation.

“Sheriff Shook and I have teamed up to minimize and eliminate the problem, and with his leadership and tireless efforts we have made great strides,” said Rep. Foxx. “I am indeed proud and honored to have Sheriff Shook here today to share his successes with Congress and I know his story will be of benefit to the Subcommittee and to other communities that are afflicted with meth abuse. The challenge this drug poses is strong, serious and immediate, and so too must be our response. The outstanding job Sheriff Shook has done at the local level must be duplicated at the Federal level if we are to eradicate methamphetamine from our communities.”

“Methamphetamine was something we heard about but believed it was a far away problem; a California problem,” said Sheriff Shook in his testimony. “In the spring of 2002 our 312 square mile semi-rural Western North Carolina County with a population of 48,000 full time residents was seriously impacted by the scourge of methamphetamine. We were not prepared...”

“In our small county we have had methamphetamine related homicides, robberies, and sex offenses. In a county where murders are few and far-between, most of the murders that have occurred in our county recently have had various ties to methamphetamine. Houses, mobile homes and apartments have burned due to the flammability and toxicity of the chemical mixtures people use while trying to manufacture methamphetamine,” he said.

Sheriff Shook went on to encourage Congress to take a look at state laws cropping up across the country that have enhanced the punishment for offenders and have made it more difficult to get the materials necessary for manufacturing meth. He also explained how the Watauga County Sheriff's Department has been diligent in educating and creating awareness of how local retailers can help prevent the problem.

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