Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2005
Source: Bowling Green Daily News (KY)
Copyright: 2005 News Publishing LLC
Contact:  http://www.bgdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1218

FEDERAL FUNDING IS NEEDED LOCALLY TO COMBAT DRUGS

Federal funding to combat drugs in our states and towns is crucial,
but that funding could be cut under President Bush's proposed budget
for fiscal year 2006.

This is why we urge Congress to fight to ensure that the federal
funding continues so that drug task forces and prosecutors can
continue to arrest and put criminals behind bars.

The president's proposed cuts or elimination of funding from the High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program and Bryne Justice Assistance
Grant would be a major blow to our local law enforcement agencies.

These agencies are critical in getting drug manufacturers and dealers
off the streets and this funding is a big part of why they have been
successful in recent years.

The HIDTA program is responsible for giving agencies equipment,
technology and additional resources to combat drug trafficking.

Under Bush's proposal, this agency's funds would be cut by more than
half.

Local officials such as Warren County Commonwealth's Attorney Chris
Cohron expressed serious concern about the proposed cuts.

Cohron said the proposed HIDTA funding cut and the potential Bryne
grant elimination would be "devastating." He says this money pays the
salaries of two prosecutors in his office.

But there might be help on the way.

U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Cecilia, said he thinks the House budget "won't
look much like" Bush's budget.

"Of course we're going to respect the president's view on how he feels
on spending should be," Lewis said. But, he added, the president's
budget simply "isn't effective."

The problem with Bush's national drug control strategy is that it puts
too much money into federal law enforcement efforts, such as Homeland
Security, but would leave a lot less for states to operate on.

We know that we live in a post Sept. 11, 2001, world and the president
might be warranted in some shifts in funds, but to take away crucial
funds that our state needs would be essentially tying law
enforcement's hands behind their backs.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin