Spending bill includes millions in Missouri meth funding

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, seen here in Cape Girardeau in 2006. Bond hopes to secure federal funding for Missouri's fight against meth. (Fred Lynch Photo) [Click to enlarge]

Missouri Republican Sen. Kit Bond announced Tuesday the allocation of $1.175 million in federal funds in the 2008 omnibus spending bill for the Missouri Sheriff's Methamphetamine Relief Team (MOSMART).

The MOSMART program, started in 2001, suffered from the severe reduction of the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program in 2007 by nearly two-thirds, and Missouri stood to lose nearly $9 million in federal funding for local law enforcement assistance.

"If MOSMART goes away, that's an invitation to drug dealers that says that Missouri is open for business," said Bond at a news conference at the Law Enforcement Academy.

In addition, the Justice Assistance Grant funds fuel task forces such as the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force, as well as anti-gang and anti-violent offender programs for more than 80 Missouri city and county law enforcement agencies.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, there were 1,285 meth labs raided in Missouri in 2007, despite 12,429 meth lab seizures in the state by MOSMART from 2001 to 2007.

Indiana ranked the second highest with 620 incidents involving meth labs.

Recently, Gov. Matt Blunt announced $1.9 million secured for MOSMART in state funding.

Though Bond acknowledged the importance of securing funding at the state level, he called on Congress to do more. In February, Bond joined other senators in efforts to restore nearly $500 million to the Justice Assistance Grant Program.

Bond said he hopes the legislature will continue to provide support to local law enforcement.

"MOSMART didn't lose a day in Missouri so far," said Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan.

The funding, both in earmarks secured by Bond and supplementary funds at the state level, means the program can continue to operate without Missouri having to lose any manpower, Jordan said.

"MOSMART gives us a real shot in the arm," said Kevin Glaser, director of the drug task force.

Without the Justice Assistance Grant funding, the task force would not be able to continue operation, Glaser said.

Incidents in Missouri involving methamphetamine have declined 40 percent over the past two years since Missouri passed legislation restricting sales of products containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, ingredients used in manufacturing the drug.

The Justice Assistance Grant fund is named for Eddie Byrne, a rookie New York City police officer who was killed by two hit men hired by a drug lord as he sat on a stakeout Feb. 26, 1988, in Queens. His murder spurred New York City to begin a tough anti-drug response leading to the foundation of the fund to take the fight nationwide, according to Associated Press reports.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245