Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jul 2005
Source: Daily Home, The (Talladega,  AL)
Copyright: 2005 Consolidated Publishing
Contact:  http://www.dailyhome.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1632
Note:  also listed as contact
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG TASK FORCE NEEDS LOCAL SUPPORT

On an all too regular basis, Talladega County's Drug Task Force makes 
headlines for its efforts in getting illegal drugs off the streets.

Bust after bust should send a message that the Task Force will not shy away 
from its duty. Members are making a dent in a rock solid problem that faces 
communities across the nation, but there is plenty of work that lies ahead. 
Especially now.

Methamphetamine production and trafficking are reaching epidemic 
proportions, and the headlines of new labs springing up in places like 
Sylacauga and Talladega only point toward more of the same.

That's why it must be disheartening for dedicated public servants like 
District Attorney Steve Giddens, whose Task Force is losing funding because 
federal budgets are being slashed by 50 percent this year. And what's 
worse, federal grant money is at risk of being cut completely the following 
year.

It is forcing Giddens to turn to local communities to help make up the 
difference in the funding loss. This week, he asked the City of Lincoln to 
up its investment in the task force from $13,355 this year to $26,776 next 
year.

Unfortunately, it is just an indication of requests to come if the group 
hopes to be a viable force in the ongoing fight against drugs.

That fight is a local one, and communities across the county, as well as 
the county, need to support it. If it means increasing the funding on the 
local end, governments need to find a way to do it.

If it means lobbying federal officials for continued grant funding, that 
ought to be done, too.

Losing the fight because of a loss of funding should not be an option.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom