Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Wednesday, September 10, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC –– U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that Missouri will receive more than $2.4 million in federal dollars to combat the methamphetamine trade.

“The fight against meth is an expensive one, and our local law enforcement cannot carry the load alone," said Bond. "These dollars are a down-payment and will help our sheriffs continue the fight."

The Department of Justice (DOJ) will send the Missouri Sheriffs Methamphetamine Relief Team (MOSMART) $2,483,750, which Bond secured in the fiscal year 2003 Appropriations bill.

Due to Missouri's location in the middle of the country, number of small towns and national forest acres, rural makeup and the number of interstate highways cris-crossing the state, Missouri became a draw for methamphetamine cookers, distributors, dealers and smugglers. In recent years Missouri has become the meth capitol of the United States.

Recognizing the severity of the drug problem, Bond has worked to boost federal and state cooperation in the fight against the meth trade in Missouri. In 2000 Bond worked to establish 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.

Also, in August Bond 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. Just last week Bond announced that he secured the Senate Appropriations Committee's approval for an additional $2.5 million for MOSMART in the fiscal year 2004 bill.

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.