U.S. Senate OKs money to fight meth in Missouri

The Southeast Missouri Crime Lab and the region's drug task force would each receive $110,00 in federal money to combat methamphetamine crimes under a bill approved by the U.S. Senate.

In all, the plan proposed by U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, D-Mo., would distribute $1.1 million to drug task forces and crime labs in the state.

Final funding will be ironed out in a House-Senate conference committee.

"We can't allow meth to take over our communities and steal the potential of so many young people," said U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, D-Mo.

Money for the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force would be used for overtime pay and expenses for 13 task force officers. The task force serves 14 counties in Southeast Missouri, including Cape Gir-ardeau, Scott, Perry and Bollinger counties.

Money for the crime lab would be used for new drug analysis equipment and to help in the relocation of the crime lab.

Dr. Robert Briner, director of the crime lab, welcomed the funding. But he said it will be next year before the crime lab receives the money, assuming that the appropriation wins final passage from Congress.