Pubdate: Tue, 12 Mar 2002
Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Austin American-Statesman
Contact:  http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32
Author: Associated Press

TEXAS TO GET $30 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR DRUG CONTROL

Thirty million dollars in federal grants will be divided among Texas cities 
and counties for regional drug-control efforts, the governor's office 
announced Monday.

The bulk of the money, $27.6 million, will support 45 narcotics task forces 
covering 213 Texas counties.

The money is made available through the Byrne Formula Grant Program, which 
assists state agencies and local governments in carrying out programs that 
offer a high probability of improving the criminal justice system.

"Texas is using money seized from drug dealers to increase our investment 
in programs that help our children avoid the heartbreak of illegal drugs 
and the devastation these criminals are dealing," Gov. Rick Perry said.

Since 1987, Texas has used Byrne funding to establish multicounty narcotics 
task forces to increase communication and coordination among federal, state 
and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors.
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