Pubdate: Sun, 01 Oct 2006
Source: Beacon News, The (IL)
Copyright: 2005 Digital Chicago & Hollinger International Inc
Contact:  http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3800
Author: Bill BIrd
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LOCAL AGENCIES GET STATE GRANTS TO COMBAT SPREAD OF METH

Six law enforcement agencies serving Kane, DuPage and Will counties 
are among 28 agencies that will share in $5.3 million in federal 
funding earmarked to fight the production, distribution and use of 
methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who announced the funding last week, also said 
a new database developed by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information 
Authority will help plug gaps in the national information network 
tracking the rampant methamphetamine problem.

Funding from the federal Anti-Drug Abuse Act and the Justice 
Assistance Grant will help 28 state law enforcement agencies in 66 
Illinois counties, according to a statement from Blagojevich's office.

The Kane County state's attorney's office will receive $143,967 in 
funding under the program, while the North Central Narcotics Task 
Force, serving Kane, McHenry and DeKalb counties, will receive $139,670.

The DuPage County state's attorney's office is being awarded 
$156,415, with the DuPage County MEG drug enforcement group in line 
for $145,625.

The Will County state's attorney's office will receive $132,528 in 
funding. The Joliet Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad, which serves 
Grundy and Will counties, will get $139,644.

All 28 agencies will use the money to develop strategies to combat 
the production and abuse of methamphetamine and other narcotics, the 
statement indicated.

Those agencies made a total of 3,470 drug-related arrests last year 
that have resulted in 2,233 convictions to date, the statement said. 
They also identified and closed down 954 clandestine methamphetamine 
laboratories and seized 166,583 grams of the drug last year, the statement said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman