WAR ON METH GAINS FEDERAL FUNDING

Tennessee's Congressional delegation was successful in securing $13
million in projects for the state in this year's Commerce
appropriation bill, including $3 million to fight methamphetamine abuse.

The projects are included in the conference report of the House and
Senate bills, and expected to survive for the final votes in Congress.

"This is an important piece of legislation that supports law
enforcement, scientific research, technical innovation, and economic
growth across Tennessee," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said.

The bill includes $4 million in statewide funding with $3 million
allocated to a new Tennessee Statewide Methamphetamine Task Force
concentrating on training and equipment needed to address the state's
meth crisis, and with $1 million for the Tennessee Bureau of
Investigation to develop a statewide crime tracking system.

Projects specific to Middle Tennessee include:

* $500,000 for the Nashville Drug Court Support Foundation, the
nonprofit organization that supports operational needs of the
Davidson County Drug Court;

* $360,000 for the Tennessee Technological University to support
methamphetamine detection and remediation research;

* $300,000 for the Sun-Climate and Extrasolar Planets Research
Program at Tennessee State University;

* $200,000 for the Bridges to the Universe program at the Adventure
Science Center; and

* $200,000 for the Project Return Adult Offender Program in Nashville.

"This bill funds important education and scientific research
initiatives that will help Tennessee students, universities and
businesses maintain our competitive edge in a global economy," Sen.
Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said.