$110,000 EARMARKED FOR AREA DRUG ENFORCEMENT

Funds for the South Central Arkansas Drug Task Force were earmarked in
the Fiscal Year 2006 Science, State, Justice, Commerce Appropriations
Conference Report, U.S. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., announced this week.

That $110,000 in funding is part of a spending bill approved last week
by the U.S. House and expected to pass the Senate later this week.

"I am pleased to have secured this funding for our growing law
enforcement needs throughout the state and am grateful to both
Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor for their assistance," Ross
said in a statement.

"This funding signifies an important victory in safeguarding our
children and communities throughout Arkansas' Fourth Congressional
District," he said. "With the increasing prevalence of methamphetamine
throughout Arkansas, this money will assist our local law enforcement
in their escalating struggle against this illegal and detrimental drug."

Lincoln, D-Ark., said states like Arkansas depend on resources to
fight methamphetamine, noting the epidemic has financially strapped
local law enforcement.

"It is critical that we provide both our national and our local law
enforcement agencies the critical resources they need to fight the
meth epidemic that is crippling our country," Lincoln said in a statement.

"Our law enforcement officials face enormous challenges in battling
this dangerous drug, and it's crucial that they receive the proper
training and resources to combat it and eradicate it from our
communities."

Funding will affect the Texarkana-area counties of Hempstead,
Lafayette, Little River, Sevier, Howard, Nevada and Pike. Funds will
be used to aid the fight against meth use through equipment and tools,
as well as financial assistance for narcotics investigations.