TENNESSEE TO RECEIVE GRANT TO HELP FIGHT METH PROBLEM

Governor Phil Bredesen announced recently that the State of Tennessee
will receive $17.8 million in federal funding from the U. S.
Department of Health and Human Services to aid in the fight against
methamphetamine and other drugs.

Tennessee is one of 14 states to be awarded funds through the latest
round of federal "Access to Recovery" grants.

Over the next three years, the State Department of Health will receive
about $5.9 million annually in grant funds that will be used to expand
access to treatment for adults with substance abuse problems.

In making the federal grant application, state officials noted the
recent and rapid rise of methamphetamine in Tennessee.
Methamphetamine, a powerfully addictive stimulant that affects the
central nervous system, is produced in clandestine laboratories across
Tennessee using relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients.
The drug has been on the rise in recent years.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that Tennessee now
accounts for 75 % of meth lab seizures in the Southeast. "Our state is
struggling with a serious substance abuse problem," Bredesen said.
"This federal funding will provide additional resources that will be
critical in combating meth and drug abuse in general. A 2000 study by
the Community Health Research Group indicates that only 20 % of
Tennessee citizens who need treatment for drug and alcohol abuse are
receiving it. The Access to Recovery Program provides vouchers to
cover the cost of treatment and recovery services from approved providers.

The program provides for a wide range of treatment options, including
faith-based and community-based services. Clients seeking services
will be screened through drug courts, local health departments and
authorized treatment providers.

Those participating must submit to random drug and alcohol screens and
agree to general monitoring throughout their recovery period. A
portion of the funding will go to rural communities, which are home to
about one-third of Tennessee's population. Many of these areas, which
are being hard hit by meth and other drugs, currently offer only
limited access to treatment and recovery services. "This funding will
help support vital services in the Appalachian region and other parts
of our state in which the methamphetamine epidemic is causing serious
damage," said Tennessee Health Commissioner Kenneth Robinson, M.D.
Robinson noted the State currently provides funding to only about
two-thirds of Tennessee's 81 licensed alcohol and drug treatment
providers. "Our goal is to use this new money to close the gap and
expand our network to as many eligible providers as possible."