MADNESS WILL FLOURISH WITHOUT MORE MONEY

Should the doors to the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force
close sometime this year, it would be a serious blow locally to the
drug scourge police agencies are trying to combat.

Funds for programs like this one have been dwindling for many years,
but a recent announcement that the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice
Grant program was facing a cut of about 67 percent -- from $520
million to $170 million -- could prove fatal to the local program.

The Byrne fund's program allotment here amounts to about $185,000,
roughly 65 percent of the agency's annual budget. The federal money
pays the salary of the director, Wayne Edwards, the salaries of a
bookkeeper and secretary, and leases on vehicles used by task force
agents.

Said Edwards of the budget cuts, "This is the scariest it's ever
been.''

Edwards suggested that if additional streams of funding do not come
through, his office would close by the middle of this year.

That would be devastating locally and in communities around the
country that realize the benefits from the task force.

Just last month, the task force helped shut down several meth labs
around the county. The task force, one of 14 statewide, participates
in many of the major drug busts in Hardin County.

In 2007, task force agents battling methamphetamine, crack cocaine
and other illegal narcotics opened 854 cases.

Meth activity increased in November and December with evidence of
more than 16 meth labs being uncovered by the task force. Meth
investigations by the task force decreased last year from 2006,
Edwards has said.

But money is needed to maintain the office and the work that is done
there.

Many of the police departments supply staffing to the task force, so
cities are contributing. Cities like Elizabethtown and Radcliff
already are financially strapped and are seeking their own financial
means to run their governments.

And their police agencies already are stretched thin.

Somehow, some way, more money must be funneled to the local task
force to keep it going or the drug battle in Hardin County will be a
victory for those who buy, sell and produce drugs.