Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Bud Cramer (Ala.-05) announced today that the House approved the Fiscal Year 2008 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill.  Cramer, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said the bill includes a total of $3.2 billion to assist state and local law enforcement.  This amount, which is a ten percent increase over last year’s funding and $1.7 billion more than the Administration requested, includes funding to support law enforcement technologies and interoperability upgrades, measures to combat Meth, and efforts to reduce gang violence.

Included in this total amount is $85 million to help local communities combat Meth production and distribution.  This funding is provided through the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) “hot spots” program.  In addition, the COPS funding is used to help remove and dispose of hazardous materials found at clandestine Meth labs.  This amount is a $15 million increase over FY 2007 levels.

“Due to the efforts of our local law enforcement, new government initiatives, and community education and outreach programs, Meth use is down across North Alabama,” said Cramer.  “This funding will help us continue to stem the Methamphetamine epidemic and work towards eradicating our community from this highly addictive and dangerous drug.”

Representative Cramer has been on the forefront in the fight against Methamphetamine abuse since arriving in Congress in 1991.  He is a member of the Congressional Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine, a bipartisan group with over 100 members who work together to raise national awareness of the problems and dangers associated with the abuse and production of Meth.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Cramer continues to lead congressional efforts to fund programs, such as the COPS Program, Justice Assistance Grants, and the Byrne Grant Program, that provide assistance to law enforcement to combat Meth.  He has also secured millions of dollars in funding to help Alabama law enforcement agencies curb Meth usage.

Representative Cramer has hosted a number of Methamphetamine forums across North Alabama with local law enforcement officers, district attorneys, Alabama Department of Human Resources officials, and other community leaders.  In addition, he has also brought together law enforcement officials from North Alabama to learn more about the federal resources and grant opportunities available to them to fight Meth.  Cramer also hosted a forum to help raise awareness about the Meth problem with hotel and motel industry professionals.