Pierce County: Murray Includes $1.2 Million to Establish a National Meth Center in Pierce County

(Washington D.C.) –U.S. Senator Patty Murray today announced that she included $1.2 million for a National Methamphetamine Training and Technical Assistance Center (NMTTAC) in Pierce County in a critical Senate spending bill. The funding would be used to make Tacoma and Pierce County the home to the principal, national meth education and training resource center for the nation. The funding was included in the 2009 Senate Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill. Senator Murray is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee.

"This funding will go toward bringing the nation’s best methamphetamine research, prevention and education resources to Pierce County," said Senator Murray. "A National Meth Center would bring new support for our region’s fight against meth and would allow us to share the expertise we have gained on combating meth with communities across the country."

The funding that Senator Murray included will go toward the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative, the Pierce County Alliance, and the Safe Streets Campaign who have partnered to work on establishing the NMTTAC in Pierce County. The NMTTAC will not provide treatment services, but it will analyze best practices and conduct trainings in Washington state and around the country for medical professionals, law enforcement, educators and environmental clean-up specialists. Washington state has been recognized as an ideal location for the facility because of its successful statewide efforts, spearheaded by the Washington State Methamphetamine Initiative, to combat the use and production of methamphetamine. 

Last year, Senator Murray was able to secure $714,400 in federal funding to begin work on establishing the NMTTAC in Pierce County.

Senator Murray has led the effort in the U.S. Senate for increased congressional focus and funding to combat the meth epidemic. Read more on Senator Murray’s fight against meth.

The CJS Appropriations bill will next move to the Senate floor where it will be considered by the full Senate.