WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Charles Schumer Wednesday said that a significant rise in Canada’s methamphetamine production and trafficking may reverse recent law enforcement gains in curbing meth production in Upstate New York. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, meth lab seizures have declined in Upstate New York over the past year while Canada has seen a surge in meth production with the intent to traffic some of the drug into the United States. 

To further combat meth production and abuse across the region, Schumer urged the DEA to step up its efforts to combat meth moving in from Canada as part of a new three-point plan that will address production in the United States, potential trafficking of meth from Canada, and promote youth awareness of the dangerous drug.

To work towards an ultimate goal of ridding methamphetamine production and use across Upstate New York, Schumer pushed for the immediate implementation of a three-point plan that addresses production in the United States, potential trafficking of meth from Canada, and promotes youth awareness of the dangerous drug.

The senator urged that the DEA immediately coordinate further with local and Canadian authorities to step up its efforts to combat meth moving in to Upstate New York from Canada.  He is also backing legislation that would make it easier for drug stores to track the sales of common ingredients used to make methamphetamine in clandestine labs. Schumer is urging passage of legislation that would promote awareness of the damaging effects of meth use, including a gruesome dental condition called “meth mouth,” common in habitual meth users.