WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has sponsored legislation to authorize funding for meth abuse prevention efforts undertaken by state and local governments or private non-profit organizations. According to the Department of Justice, due to the increased involvement by the Mexican drug cartels in the manufacture and distribution of meth, the supply of methamphetamine in the U.S. is at a five year high, and is at its highest purity, and lowest cost in five years.  The new legislation authorizes up to $20 million of existing funds be allocated to prevent meth use each year until fiscal year 2014.  To spur additional investment to combat meth use, the legislation encourages strong private-public partnerships by requiring grant recipients to obtain at least 50% in matching funds for their efforts.

"This is about making cost-effective prevention efforts for meth addiction a priority in the federal budget," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  "Montanans have seen first-hand the impact that prevention can have through the groundbreaking work of programs like the Montana Meth Project.  We've seen that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, both in terms of the human toll and in delivering value to taxpayers.  I'm fighting to reduce overall government spending and finding ways to do more with less is a good place to start."

According to the CDC and Montana Office of Public Instruction, meth use among teens in Montana has dropped 63% since 2005 and the state's Attorney General reported meth related crime is down 62% in the same period since the launch of the Montana Meth Project.  Additionally, the cost of meth use to the state of Montana has been reduced by $100 million in two years.

"Denny really understands the widespread impact that meth has on individuals and their families and communities," said Mike Gulledge, the chairman of the Montana Meth Project.  "His leadership and unwavering commitment to combating methamphetamine abuse both in Montana and nationally is saving countless lives and tax dollars on an epidemic that is estimated to cost the nation $23.4 billion annually."