Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, August 22, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO –– U.S. Senator Kit Bond today met with South Central Missouri Task Force, National Forest Service and Missouri Army National Guard officials to discuss ongoing strategy to tackle the drug fight in Missouri.

“For a number of years now, Missouri has earned the sad distinction of being the methamphetamine capitol of the United States," said Bond. "Because of our location in the middle of the country, our number of small towns and national forest acres, our rural makeup and the number of interstate highways cris-crossing our state, we became a draw for methamphetamine cookers, distributors, dealers and smugglers."

Bond has worked to boost federal and state cooperation in the fight against the meth trade in Missouri. In 2000 Bond worked to establish the Missouri Sheriffs Methamphetamine Relief Team (MOSMART) in cooperation with Missouri Sheriffs and regional task forces to fight the growing problem. Because of Bond’s efforts, several Missouri sheriff departments and regional drug task forces have received nearly $7 million to combat meth.

"South Central Missouri Drug Task Force has made significant progress in confronting the meth problem in the region for one key reason - Senator Kit Bond's successful efforts in getting us federal funding for MOSMART," stated Bill Shephard of Howell County and project manager of the task force. "We're grateful for what Senator Bond has done to help us fight the meth problem in Missouri and taking time out of his busy schedule to meet periodically with us personally to see how we can make the local, state and federal team effort even more effective."

"Only by combining our efforts can we be successful in this drug fight," added Bond. "The strong partnership we have built is a good start at tackling the meth problem in our state, and I look forward to seeing our efforts continue to pay off."

Following the drug task force meeting Bond traveled to Southern Missouri (Howell, Oregon, Shannon, Carter and Ripley Counties) to discuss a number of Bond's priorities for the region, including the Missouri Forest Heritage Center, Pine Knot Project, Healthy Forest Initiatives and hazardous fuels on the Mark Twain National Forest. Bond also met with National Park Service officials to discuss issues impacting the scenic river ways.

Earlier this year, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bond secured Committee approval of funds for a number of these initiatives in the 2004 Interior Appropriations bill:

* $1.32 million for a "Wood to Energy" energy research program for the Missouri Forest Foundation;

* $500,000 for a Forest Legacy program in Missouri to help identify and protect environmentally important forests from conversion to non-forest uses.

These funds are in addition to the $142 million Bond secured Committee approval for to fund high priority river and water projects throughout the state, which Bond said, "will help meet Missouri's critical water transportation, flood protection and environmental needs and opportunities."

Lastly, Bond looked over the region struck by the 2002 tornado which devastated Carter and Butler Counties, leaving a trail of hazardous fuels. Bond was instrumental in getting the Council on Environmental Quality to expedite clean up efforts by the National Forest Service.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.