Del. Charles Poindexter reports the signing of nine pieces of legislation from the 2012 Session that will increase penalties on convicted drug dealers and strengthen existing drug laws.

Message from Del. Poindexter Dear Friend, Last week, I joined Governor Bob McDonnell, fellow General Assembly members, and law and public safety officials in Hanover County to celebrate the signing of nine pieces of legislation from the 2012 Session that will increase penalties on convicted drug dealers and strengthen existing drug laws. The use and abuse of illegal drugs is a serious problem that affects Virginia as a whole, however our region of the Commonwealth has recently seen increasing levels of drug use, particularly methamphetamine and prescription drug abuse. Methamphetamine production is a very dangerous process and too frequently results in the death, injury, and destruction of not only those directly involved and their property, but also innocent bystanders and adjacent property owners. Additionally, once a methamphetamine lab is discovered, the responsibility and costs of cleaning up the site fall on the local government and sheriff offices. I believe those convicted of operating a meth lab site should be held financially responsible for its clean-up rather than the taxpayers, which is why I introduced HB1037. This legislation provides that if property owned or rented by a person convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine is damaged, destroyed, or otherwise rendered unusable as a result of such methamphetamine manufacture, the court shall order the person to pay the reasonable estimated or actual expenses associated with cleanup, removal, or repair of the affected property or, if actual or estimated expenses cannot be determined, the sum of $10,000, to the newly created Methamphetamine Cleanup Fund. This legislation will remove a significant burden from local governments, law enforcement, and taxpayers and discourage the manufacture of methamphetamine. I am delighted Governor McDonnell invited me to participate in this ceremony and I will continue to support legislation that cracks down on illegal drug use in Virginia.