The Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force will pull its belt half as tight as expected this year. The task force, funded by a federal justice assistance grant awarded to Elizabethtown, was expecting a roughly $78,000 cut for the 2005-06 year. However, a one-time grant from the state's Office of Drug Control Policy will pump $42,317 back into its coffers. This week, the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet passed out nearly $4 million in grants, including federal justice assistance grants and money generated through DUI fines. [continues 450 words]
In school, teens learn the consequences of smoking marijuana. But in movies, they see actors toke up without consequence, except perhaps for a giggle fit. At home, their parents tell them drugs only lead to trouble. But the singer in their headphones says drugs lead to a good time, money and prestige. Everywhere, teens see public service announcements against marijuana. But they also see T-shirts, posters and other novelty items promoting drug use. High school students in Hardin County say they commonly receive mixed messages about marijuana. The mix could leave some teens wondering about the harm drugs cause. [continues 468 words]
