“This funding for anti-drug programs in Northwest Indiana is an investment in our community, in our children, and in our future,” said Visclosky. “The Drug Demand Reduction Program offers educational programs that will prevent students from using drugs, and offers positive alternatives for our area youth.”

As part of the anti-drug programs, the Indiana National Guard provides drug education to over 20,000 elementary, middle school, and high school students throughout Indiana’s First Congressional District, with over 25 schools in Lake County alone. The primary drug education program, known as "Stay on Track" is an interactive program that involves students, teachers, parents, and guardsmen, and helps students develop the skills needed to make smart decisions about their health and their future. Additional programs to “Stay on Track” include programs such as “Checkmate Drugs,” “Learning for Life Program,” and “Mobile Team Challenge.” The funding is part of the FY 2008 Defense Appropriations bill that the House is set to pass today.

“Because of Congressman Visclosky’s efforts, more students in Northwest Indiana will say no to drugs,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Luckett, who overseas the Drug Demand Reduction Program. “The Indiana National Guard is better able to serve our communities because Congressman Visclosky is part of the team dedicated to combating illegal drug use.”

In addition to the anti-drug funding, last week Visclosky announced that he had successfully secured funding in a separate House bill for additional law-enforcement programs. These crime fighting programs include $600,000 for technology upgrades at the Lake County Sheriff’s office and $300,000 for an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) for the six police departments of Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Whiting, Highland and Hobart, and $480,000 for a shot-spotter program in Gary. Also included in the previous legislation is $30 million for the nation-wide Bullet Proof Vest Partnership Program, which Congressman Visclosky authored in 1997.