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BRADLEY REVEALS PLAN TO CONTINUE METH FIGHT

HERRIN - The fight against methamphetamine is an uphill struggle even with all the needed resources.  Proposed budget cuts to law enforcement will destroy any progress made with the meth epidemic, Rep.  John Bradley, D-Marion, said Thursday.

Bradley unveiled a state resolution encouraging the federal government to maintain funding for meth-enforcement programs.  Bradley said he anticipated his resolution would pass the Illinois House of Representatives in the coming days.

The proposed 2007 federal budget would reduce funding by $13 million for law enforcement programs in the state, including significant cuts to the COPS program and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program.  These programs helped Illinois police seize nearly 350,000 grams of meth in 2004 alone.

"The fight against meth is very real, and any reduction of funds could reverse the progress we've made in fighting this deadly drug," Bradley said.  "The fact is, fighting meth takes a lot of resources and many of the local police departments are already struggling financially.  We simply cannot afford these budget cuts."

Bradley said the support of his fellow legislators, spurred by the calls of concerned residents, will be imperative to passing his resolution.

"We are relying upon people of this region, the heartland, to tell their public officials we cannot stand to lose these programs," Bradley said.

Tom McNamara, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group special events coordinator and expert on methamphetamine, said losing funds for either program could set the state significantly behind in its fight against meth.

"In the Byrne grant, for instance, there would be half of the police officers already trained and equipped," McNamara said.  "We're talking about a dramatic kind of attack on local law enforcement."