GRANT TO HELP DRUG FIGHT

The 21st Judicial Drug Task Force may be breathing a little easier
after receiving a $145,000 grant to aid in operations of the agency.

"The $145,000 state grant is to be used for operations of the Task
Force only," Escambia County Commission Chairman David Stokes said
Friday. "The funds will be used for things like salaries and expenses."

The grant, which requires an equal match from Escambia County and
municipalities within the county, was announced by Gov. Bob Riley's
office.

"The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is working hard to take
drug offenders off the streets," Riley said. "I am pleased to provide
this grant to help them continue protecting the residents of Escambia
County."

The task force is a joint operation of the Atmore, Brewton, East
Brewton and Flomaton police departments, the Escambia County District
Attorney's Office and the Escambia County Sheriff's Department. All
involved agencies combine efforts to disrupt drug organizations and
their shipments, share intelligence relating to illegal drug
activities and prosecute users and dealers of illegal drugs. The task
force also works to reduce the illegal distribution of prescription
drugs.

The grant awarded to the Task Force will be matched with funds from
the Escambia County Commission, the Escambia County District
Attorney's office, Atmore and Brewton police departments, Stokes said.

Statistics released from Riley's office show the task force seized
more than 900 grams of cocaine and hundreds of prescription drugs
obtained illegally since October 2006.

The unit also confiscated more than 1,000 pounds of crystal
methamphetamine last year.

The grant was awarded through the Alabama Department of Economic and
Community Affairs from funds made available to the state by the U.S.
Department of Justice.