SPENDING BILLS CONTAIN MILLIONS FOR MISSOURI METH-FIGHTING

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Missouri law enforcement would get a $1 million boost in
fighting methamphetamine, under legislation headed to the Senate floor.

The spending bill for treasury and general government programs contains an
increase in funding for the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area,
which includes Missouri and five other states.

The total increase is $1.5 million, with $1 million targeted to Missouri.
That could push Missouri's total to at least $4.1 million for the fiscal
year beginning Oct. 1.

"The problem is widespread and affects both urban and rural communities
across the state," said Sen. Jean Carnahan, D-Mo., who pushed to include
the funding.

The highly addictive drug is cheap and easy to make, and normally contains
ingredients found in over-the-counter cold medication. Missouri leads the
nation in meth production.

Missouri meth-fighters would get another $2 million under a separate
spending bill, one covering the departments of commerce, justice and state.
Various law enforcement agencies would share the Midwest Methamphetamine
Initiative funds, which help take down meth labs and clean up the sites.

Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., pushed for the funding, calling it "a down- payment
on an even brighter future for Missouri."

The measures cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee last week and are
headed to the full Senate. The House and Senate must then negotiate
compromise legislation that can be sent to the White House for President
Bush's signature.

On the Net:

Senate Appropriations Committee: http://www.senate.gov/~appropriations