Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jul 2007 Source: Las Cruces Sun-News (NM) Copyright: 2007 Las Cruces Sun-News Contact: http://www.lcsun-news.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/674 DRUG TRACKING FUNDS FLOW INTO DONA ANA COUNTY LAS CRUCES -- More Federal Anti-Drug Dollars Are Expected to Flow Into Dona Ana County. U.S. Senator Pete Domenici joined the Senate Appropriations Committee in approving an increase in funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program that provides anti-drug trafficking assistance to 16 New Mexico counties. The committee on Thursday approved $235 million for the HIDTA program, which is $10.2 million over FY2007 funding and $15 million over the president's budget request. The funding is included in the FY2008 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, which is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. Domenici on Wednesday reported that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has agreed to free grant funding that had been suspended this spring for New Mexico's participation in the Southwest Border HIDTA. "The HIDTA program is working to help local law enforcement be equipped and trained to take on illegal drug trafficking. The intent of our bill is to increase federal funding for this program and its involvement at the local level," Domenici said. The bill also includes report language intended to maintain stable funding for existing HIDTAs. The Southwest Border HITDA consists of New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and California. New Mexico generally receives between $5 million and $7 million in HIDTA funding annually. In New Mexico, 16 counties are now part of the HIDTA program. Last year, Domenici successfully convinced the ONDCP to add Sandoval, Valencia and Torrance counties--all surrounding the Albuquerque metropolitan area--to the HIDTA program. Other counties include: Bernalillo, Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Rio Arriba, San Juan and Santa Fe. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek