Washington, D.C. —
Yesterday, Senator John Thune offered a bipartisan amendment to the Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution that would provide an additional $99 million in budget authority for funding of the COPS Meth Hot Spots program for 2009. The COPS Meth Hot Spots program trains state and local law enforcement to investigate and prosecute meth offenders.
"The devastating effects of meth abuse can be seen all over South Dakota, particularly on our Indian reservations," said Thune. "Rural youth across America are using meth at an alarming rate, and local law enforcement in rural and urban communities alike need the resources to effectively combat meth trafficking and abuse."
Senator Thune's amendment would also provide funding for environmental expenses relating to the clean-up of toxic chemicals used to produce meth. Meth producers frequently dump waste into streams, rivers, fields, and sewage systems.
Last year, the Senate adopted Senator Thune's bipartisan amendment to increase funding for the Meth Hot Spots program for the Fiscal Year 2008 budget.
"The devastating effects of meth abuse can be seen all over South Dakota, particularly on our Indian reservations," said Thune. "Rural youth across America are using meth at an alarming rate, and local law enforcement in rural and urban communities alike need the resources to effectively combat meth trafficking and abuse."
Senator Thune's amendment would also provide funding for environmental expenses relating to the clean-up of toxic chemicals used to produce meth. Meth producers frequently dump waste into streams, rivers, fields, and sewage systems.
Last year, the Senate adopted Senator Thune's bipartisan amendment to increase funding for the Meth Hot Spots program for the Fiscal Year 2008 budget.