BRADLEY REVEALS PLAN TO CONTINUE METH FIGHT

HERRIN - The fight against methamphetamine is an uphill struggle even
with all the needed resources. Proposed budget cuts to law
enforcement will destroy any progress made with the meth epidemic,
Rep. John Bradley, D-Marion, said Thursday.

Bradley unveiled a state resolution encouraging the federal
government to maintain funding for meth-enforcement programs. Bradley
said he anticipated his resolution would pass the Illinois House of
Representatives in the coming days.

The proposed 2007 federal budget would reduce funding by $13 million
for law enforcement programs in the state, including significant cuts
to the COPS program and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program.
These programs helped Illinois police seize nearly 350,000 grams of
meth in 2004 alone.

"The fight against meth is very real, and any reduction of funds
could reverse the progress we've made in fighting this deadly drug,"
Bradley said. "The fact is, fighting meth takes a lot of resources
and many of the local police departments are already struggling
financially. We simply cannot afford these budget cuts."

Bradley said the support of his fellow legislators, spurred by the
calls of concerned residents, will be imperative to passing his resolution.

"We are relying upon people of this region, the heartland, to tell
their public officials we cannot stand to lose these programs," Bradley said.

Tom McNamara, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group special events
coordinator and expert on methamphetamine, said losing funds for
either program could set the state significantly behind in its fight
against meth.

"In the Byrne grant, for instance, there would be half of the police
officers already trained and equipped," McNamara said. "We're talking
about a dramatic kind of attack on local law enforcement."