$4 MILLION IN WORKS FOR MORE ENFORCEMENT

While he pushes for Montana to be designated a "high intensity area" for
meth use and production, Sen. Max Baucus is keeping busy fighting for
additional federal funding to bolster law enforcement and meth lab cleanup
efforts in the state.

A Senate subcommittee has given preliminary approval to a Baucus proposal
to award Montana $4 million to combat meth use in fiscal year 2002. Of the
$4 million, $1 million would go exclusively to dealing with meth problems
in Lincoln and Flathead counties.

The funding proposal was approved by a Senate appropriations subcommittee
and Baucus hopes it will gain full Senate approval before the end of the year.

Baucus said he is particularly concerned about the increase in meth use and
production in rural areas of Flathead and Lincoln counties.

"Of all the communities being hit by meth production and use, the Flathead
has exploded," Baucus said. "That's why I'm asking for funds to be set
aside specifically for the Kalispell area."