Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 Source: Brewton Standard, The (AL) Copyright: 2008 Brewton Standard Contact: http://www.brewtonstandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1694 Author: Lisa Tindell DTF NEEDS FUNDS Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith is confused about the priorities of those in government when it comes to funding the war on drugs in America. "The federal government has seen fit to send $680 million to the Mexican government to fight drugs there," Smith said. "They have sent over $580 million to the Iraqi police and have given American police no funds to combat the war on drugs. It's apparent this is not a priority for congress or the president, but it is a priority for us." In a recent move by the federal government, funds to fight the war on drugs in the United States was cut to zero when a push to fund the Justice Assistance Grant/Byrne program failed. Those federal funds have been distributed in previous years among Drug Task Force units across the country. "I was upset when they cut our funding a couple of years ago," Smith said. "We were cut from $210,000 to $140,000. Now they've cut it all out." Smith said there is not a lot that can be done about the situation, but citizens have an opportunity to help keep the local Drug Task. "I'm asking the public to stand with us and get a message to Washington, D.C.," Smith said. "We need to let Washington know that we want them to put the Drug Task Force money back." Smith said Senator Jeff Sessions and Congressman Jo Bonner have been very supportive in their efforts to have the JAG/Byrne funds put into place. "Sessions and Bonner have made every effort to keep this money for the war on drugs in Alabama," Smith said. "Even with their help it never hurts to contact them and let them know how we feel about having this unit funded. A phone call or a post card would be sufficient, but we need to get the word to the people that can make a difference about how important this funding is." Smith said the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force Unit is responsible for sending hundreds of drug dealers to court each year. "The agencies represented in our Drug Task Force work well together and have accomplished a lot," Smith said. "The unit is averaging 300 drug dealers every year into the courts in this county. That's not 300 cases, that's 300 dealers that this unit has sent to court." Smith said those statistics alone are worth fighting to keep the Drug Task Force Unit alive. "The city police officers in our county are busy answering calls about speeders, thefts and other things and don't have time to set up and work on drug cases," Smith said. "We need to keep this unit together working in one central location. Unless we ask taxpayers to take on some of the responsibility, we must fight and search for any way to get funding for the Drug Task Force." To contact government officials concering task force funding, Sessions can be reached by mail at 41 West I-65 Service Road North, Suite 2300-A, Mobile, Alabama 36608-1291 or by phone at (251) 414-3083. Bonner may be reached by mail at 11 North Water Street, Suite 15290 Mobile, Alabama 36602, or phone at 1-800-288-8721. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom