Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced today that the House of Representatives has given its approval to providing $1 million for the Idaho Meth Project. The funding passed through the House today as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill.

“The sad reality is that meth continues to rob too many Idahoans of their money, their futures, and their lives,” said Simpson. “I am hoping this infusion of federal funding will help the Idaho Meth Project impact the lives of more Idahoans in a positive way and turn them away from the life-sapping scourge of methamphetamine.”

The goal of the Idaho Meth Project is to significantly reduce the prevalence of first-time methamphetamine use in Idaho.  To achieve this goal, the Project has established a program that is in three areas:  1) Public Service Messaging; 2) Public Policy; and 3) Community Action.

According to the Idaho Meth Project:

·                     Idaho spends between $60 million and $102 million each year to incarcerate and treat offenders who admit having a meth problem.  This represents between 32 and 55 percent of the annual budget of the Idaho Department of Corrections;

·                     52 percent of Idaho inmates directly attribute meth use to their incarceration;

·                     89 percent of female offenders in county jails admit they have a problem with meth;

·                     Idaho ranks 4th in the nation in meth use by 12-17 year olds and 18-25 year olds;

·                     Idaho ranks 7th in the nation for lifetime use of meth by high school students.

“These statistics are a shocking and sobering reminder for all of us that meth use is robbing our young people of their lives and taxpayers of their money,” said Simpson. “That is why I consider this federal funding a wise investment and believe the Idaho Meth Project’s programs are so important to our State’s future.”

The Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill also contains funding for projects for the Idaho State Police, the Idaho Department of Corrections, and Idaho State University. A complete list of Idaho projects is available upon request. The bill now awaits Senate action.