Pubdate: Sat, 24 May 2003
Source: Sand Mountain Reporter, The (AL)
Copyright: 2003sSand Mountain Reporter.
Contact:  http://www.sandmountainreporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1713
Author: Trisha Forsythe

DRUG ENFORCEMENT UNIT RECEIVES STATE FUNDING

Gov. Bob Riley has awarded $286,500 to continue the battle against illegal 
drug use and distribution in Marshall County.

The funds will enable the county's drug enforcement unit to hire an 
additional agent to address the increase in methamphetamine use and 
distribution in the county, and to train agents in the safe investigation 
and destruction of hidden meth laboratories.

"Unlawful drug trafficking will not be tolerated," Riley said. "Our message 
is straightforward: If you sell illegal drugs in Alabama, you will be 
caught and prosecuted."

Riley said tough enforcement is necessary because drug-related violence and 
crime pose serious threats to the health and safety of communities.

Task force officials say an additional agent will significantly strengthen 
its ability to conduct undercover and investigative operations.

Of the 378 narcotic cases filed in the county in 2000, methamphetamine 
accounted for 33 percent of drug-related offenses. Last-year, the number of 
narcotic cases increased to 526 with meth cases climbing to 73 percent. 
Undercover operations will also target the distribution of crack cocaine, 
marijuana and prescription drug fraud.

The task force will continue its campaign to rid schools of narcotics by 
educating students about the dangers of illegal drug use and conducting 
unannounced school inspections. The unit will also conduct aviation 
surveillance and use aerial photography to detect illegal drug trafficking.

Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) Director John 
Harrison notified Commission Chairman Billy Cannon the grant to help fund 
the Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit has been approved. The grant was 
awarded from funds made available to the state through a program of the 
U.S. Department of Justice. ADECA will administer the grant.

"We are very excited about this money," Cannon said. "This is the 12th year 
we have gotten the money from ADECA."

The commission matches the grant money with $100,000, Cannon said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom