Monday, July 16, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Bill to Protect Parks from Drug Distribution
JEFFERSON CITY–A new bill signed by Gov. Matt Blunt provides protection for park users against anyone selling a controlled substance. Gov. Blunt said Missouri parks are meant to be places for safe and enjoyable recreation, not as a sales floor for drug dealers and criminals. Senate Bill 198 makes it a Class A felony to unlawfully distribute or deliver heroin, cocaine, LSD, amphetamine or methamphetamine in, on, or within 1,000 feet of a public or private park.
"This important new law will help ensure that Missouri children will be more secure when they enjoy our parks," Gov. Blunt said. "We have an obligation to provide greater protections to areas that children use. This action also sends a strong message to the dealers and criminals to stay away from our parks and away from our children and families."
"Our parks are havens where people should not have to worry about anyone selling a controlled substance. I am very pleased that the legislature and the Governor supported this legislation and I know that the families who enjoy our state parks will be relieved as well," said Doyle Childers, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
This legislation also authorizes the Department of Natural Resources director to enter into cooperative agreements with nonprofit organizations that provide cooperative, interpretive, educational or facilities enhancement services within any of Missouri's state parks or historic sites. This makes it easier for these groups to operate in multiple locations, previous agreements limited their work to a particular park, and expands the scope of the work that they are able to perform. The Department of Natural Resources administers 83 Missouri state parks and historic sites.