For Immediate Release:

Friday, June 29, 2007

(Washington D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she has provided $800,000 to establish a National Methamphetamine Training and Technical Assistance Center (NMTTAC) in Pierce County. The funding would be used to make Tacoma and Pierce County the home to the principal, national meth resource center for the nation. The funding was included in the 2008 Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill. Senator Murray is a member of the Appropriations Committee. 

"States like ours, who have struggled with the scourge of methamphetamine, have spoken out about the need for a comprehensive, accessible facility to provide support. I am working to make our state home to such a facility," said Senator Murray. "By building a national meth center in Washington state, we have the opportunity to use our expertise and experience to provide a helping hand to communities throughout the nation. A national meth center in Pierce County would provide training, education, prevention, and treatment resources all in one facility. It would elevate the fight against meth within our state's borders and export knowledge and support throughout the country."

Murray's funding will go toward the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative, the Pierce County Alliance, and the Safe Streets Campaign who have partnered to work on establishing the NMTTAC in Pierce County. Washington state has been recognized as an ideal location for the facility because of its successful statewide efforts, spearheaded by the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative, to combat the use and production of methamphetamine.

Terree Schmidt-Whelan, Executive Director of the Pierce County Alliance praised Senator Murray for her support of the NMTTAC:

"Pierce County Alliance and its partnering organizations wish to thank Senator Patty Murray for her insight and creativity as well as her strong efforts to create and fund a National Methamphetamine Training Center to be located in Washington State. The leadership provided by Senator Murray in the comprehensive field of methamphetamine is representative of a true commitment to a reduction of the methamphetamine problem nationally."

Senator Murray also announced today that she has provided $450,000 for the Washington State Meth Initiative in the CJS Appropriations bill.

Senator Murray has led the effort in the U.S. Senate for increased congressional focus and funding to combat the meth epidemic. Learn more about Senator Murray's fight against meth. 

The CJS Appropriations bill will next move to the Senate floor where it will be considered by the full Senate.