(WASHINGTON) - U.S. Representative Chet Edwards announced Thursday that he has secured $150,000 for Project Focus in Bryan under the 2008 Labor, Education, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill, which passed the House Thursday.

"Responsible efforts to help those who want to overcome alcohol and drug addiction will not only rebuild lives and strengthen families, it will save taxpayers money," said Edwards, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

"I am pleased that the House approved my request for Project Focus, and I especially want to thank local leaders for stressing the importance of this project to me."

Project Focus is administered by the Shiloh Economic Development Corporation and is designed to combat the spread of crime associated with alcohol and drug abuse at the community level.

The project will aim to decrease the number of crimes addicts commit to support their habits, and to prevent new drug abuse cases from occurring through placement of individuals into rehabilitation facilities, increased drug education and prevention services for addicts and their families.

"Whenever we can make a positive difference, putting parents back to work makes more sense than putting them in prison," said Edwards.

The bill must still pass the Senate and be signed by the president.