NARCOTICS TASK FORCE COULD LOSE FUNDS

A regional law enforcement agency, credited with stemming the volume
of methamphetamine and other drug issues in the area, is at risk of
losing the entire federal grant that subsidizes it.

The Northwest Narcotics Task Force is scheduled to lose all of its
Edgar G. Byrne Memorial Grant in 2007.

"We need to have 100 percent of it reinstated," said Williams County
Sheriff Scott Busching. "It makes no sense to me. It's one of the
only federal programs where you see tangible results. It's money well spent."

Initially, the task force was receiving $160,000 annually for its
operations with local agencies from the McKenzie County Sheriff's
Office, the Divide County Sheriff's Department, the Williston Police
Department and the Watford City Police Department, sharing 28 percent
of the cost. "This year, we're getting a half, then we'll only get a
quarter, and then they'll zero it out," Busching said.

He said the impact of the task force's efforts has been obvious. "You
only need to look at the number of arrests, the number of labs
dismantled, the number of people who have gone into rehabilitation
and treatment and how it has freed up counties' officers to work on
crime," Busching stated.

The local contributing agencies have agreed to fund the remaining
balance for one year, but the future of the successful program is sketchy.

Affected law agencies within the tri-county area argue that without
the task force, Williston and Williams County will no longer be able
to provide the level of service and expertise it is currently
receiving. For 2007, the federal government has provided one-quarter
of the usual funds to be used for this kind of program. No plan is in
place to continue this drug task force.

While meth labs uncovered in 2005 took a significant dip after the
state laws went into effect limiting cold pills, Busching warned that
it does not mean meth use had ebbed.

"We're assuming we made a big impact on the amount of meth and other
drugs. Manufacturing may be down, but there is no indicator from
anybody I talked to in the ER or social services that indicates use
is down," he commented.

Concerns are being aired that remaining law enforcement will have to
pick up the slack of an active drug problem in the three-county region.

With only 1/4 of the funds, the Northwest Narcotics Task Force will
only have enough money to fund one employee in 2007, and possibly
none after that.

That means other law enforcement agencies will have to shoulder the
responsibility of detecting and arresting suspects in a prevalent
drug problem here. "They'll have to pick up the slack. They're
already busy," Busching said. "There is the possibility of a decrease
in coverage for normal stuff. There is the possibility for an
increase in response time."

In the past five years, Northwest Narcotics Task Force Agents have
arrested 654 individuals for drug-related crimes, initiated 751
drug-related investigations, seized and dismantled 238
methamphetamine-producing laboratories and assisted in the
prosecution of over 1,000 drug-related charges brought against local
drug dealers/users.

In addition, a drug intelligence system is maintained by the
Northwest Narcotics Task Force. It has processed hundreds of bits and
pieces of drug-related information over the years.

"They are busy here," said Divide County Sheriff Lauren Throntveit.
"On many occasions, they have helped Divide County and the city of
Crosby. It would be very detrimental to us if it was curtailed, or
shut down completely.

"They do a great job."

Throntveit also praised the presence of the task as being a strong
deterrent against the future spread of the drug problem. "They've
done a number of presentations for schools, the general public and
private organizations. They've helped stores and they look for the
right information to help cases by getting license plate numbers."

Busching agrees. "They've done a lot of prevention in the counties
with public and school appearances."

He urges people to contact U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, U.S. Sen. Kent
Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy to put on the pressure to
reinstate the funds. With the methamphetamine problem rapidly moving
from a rural Midwest issue to a nationwide metro epidemic, Busching
said it's only a matter of time until other lawmakers in Congress
start believing what a problem it is.

If the federal coffers do not come through, Busching said they may
have to return to the state legislature again for funding. "We are
pursuing federal reinstatement of the Byrne grant," he said. "The
state is already heavily invested in this. I want the Byrne Grant reinstated."

"I wouldn't want to see it happen," said McKenzie County Sheriff Paul
Larson. "I hope we can recover what we lost. The agencies are putting
money in to keep it going. I don't know what will happen next year.

"Last year, it got $100,000. This year $68,000. That's a $32,000 difference."

He said the effects of the task force's work has been positive. "It's
a benefit for everyone involved. We've seen a reduction in arrests."

Larson said the new laws involving the cold medicine limits and
anhydrous lock requirements have helped.

"The task force has been an asset when it comes to arrests," he said.

"Over the years, they've done a great job for us," said Williston
Police Chief Don Wentz. "It will be hard without the task force to
keep doing what we're doing."

He said replacing the four agents would cost $45,000 each when you
include salaries and benefits. Added costs would include additional
vehicle time, supplies and fuel. Those handling methamphetamine labs
must be specially trained.

"They're going all the time," Wentz said.

Though the number of meth labs discovered went down, Wentz said that
doesn't mean that meth use is down. "Many are finding ways to import
it from California, New Mexico and Denver. There was a small dip, but
that doesn't mean it's not there. Realistically, it's not going away overnight."