The South Coast Interagency Narcotics Team will get a significant boost to its anti-drug efforts next year thanks to the recent passage of a congressional appropriations bill.

The agency was notified earlier this week that a part of its federal backing will nearly double, going from $60,000 in 2003 to $100,000 next fall. The funding is part of an omnibus spending bill that now moves on to President George Bush's desk for signature into law. He's expected to sign the bill within the next month.

[continues 631 words]