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FEDERAL GRANT CUTS COULD HIT IOWA DRUG ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS

DES MOINES ( AP ) --- Possible cuts in federal funds could hit drug enforcement programs in Iowa. 

The U.S.  Department of Justice funds drug control programs at local law enforcement agencies through the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program.  A proposal calls for cutting 70 percent of the $4.22 million that came to Iowa this year. 

The grants make up a large portion of the Iowa Office of Drug Control Policy's budget, and officials say less money means investigations into narcotic suppliers and dealers would be stalled. 

Gary Kendell, director of the agency, said important groups like the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force that represents authorities from nine counties, would also be hit. 

"Without that pooled effect, they're not going to be able to do any drug enforcement other than what they run into during their regular patrol duties.  It really hamstrings the effort," Kendell said. 

As a result, there may be a big drop in the number drug cases, he said. 

The federal grant program has faced criticism in recent years, including claims that it lacks planning, specific goals and solid management. 

Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington, D.C., supports the cuts and said there's been questionable tactics used by some local agencies that receive the grants. 

Nadelmann said "you'd be hard-pressed to find" evidence that the Byrne program "is the best way to spend that money."

But local beneficiaries of the funding say it makes a difference.  Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals said federal cuts would make broad investigations harder to carry out.  He said Iowans should decide whether they want to boost treatment or enforcement efforts in combating drugs. 

"Education wants more money, law enforcement wants more money, treatment wants more money," Pals said.  "It's a cutthroat business out there."

U.S.  Sen.  Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, agrees that local agencies need the federal money, said spokeswoman Jennifer Mullin. 

"This is a shared priority.  We don't expect for the state budget to be able to bear the entire cost of these programs," Mullin said. 

Harkin will try to amend the spending bill in February or March to restore cuts if President Bush signs them into law, she added. 

U.S.  Sen.  Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, also endorses the grant program. 

Gov.  Chet Culver has said he wants to ensure $1.4 million in state money is available in case the cuts go through.