Pubdate: Sat, 17 Nov 2001
Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA)
Copyright: 2001 Richmond Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.timesdispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365
Author: Peter Hardin
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin)

Measure Funds Drug Fight

METHAMPHETAMINES, OXYCONTIN TARGETED

WASHINGTON - A spending bill approved by Congress this week takes aim at 
fighting methamphetamines in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and prescribes 
steps to combat illegal use of OxyContin, a highly addictive painkiller.

The $39.3 billion spending bill for the departments of Commerce, Justice 
and State includes a half-million dollars for the state police to continue 
efforts to battle production and distribution of methamphetamines in the 
valley. It directs the Drug Enforcement Administration to develop a 
coordinated strategy to tackle illegal use of OxyContin.

In addition, the bill includes:

a.. $6.5 million to improve Virginia's Integrated Criminal Justice 
Information System, so public safety officials may use one computer 
terminal to get data from various crime data bases; a.. $1 million for the 
Virginia State Police to begin installing video cameras in their vehicles 
to document crime scenes or traffic stops; a.. $6.5 million for George 
Mason and James Madison universities to set up a joint program to prevent 
cyberterror attacks on banks, telecommunications systems and energy 
sources. The bill also directs establishment of a faith-based, pre-release 
program at a federal prison near Petersburg. The provision was inserted by 
Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-10th, who is chairman of a House appropriations 
subcommittee with authority over the three departments.

Wolf and Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va., announced the bill's details.
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MAP posted-by: Beth