COUNTY WILL GET FEDERAL DRUG FUNDS

RUTHERFORDTON -- New laws to combat methamphetamine production and
use are already having an impact on Rutherford County.

The laws, which significantly toughened the penalties for
manufacturing methamphetamine, are also changing the way users are
acquiring their drugs, local law enforcement officials say.

Because of that shift, the county made a request to federal officials
for funds to start a Drug Interdiction Team.

This week, money for that team, a quarter of a million dollars, was
voted into a federal appropriations bill.

Representatives Charles Taylor, R-Brevard and Patrick McHenry,
R-Cher-ryville helped secure the funding.

Rutherford County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy C. Philip Byers
said the money will be used to hire four deputies, four vehicles and
purchase and train two narcotic K-9 units.

The new staff will work exclusively in stopping drug trafficking on
the major roads through the county.

"A lot of our meth now is coming in from South Carolina via Atlanta
and Mexico," said Byers. "We've gone from a manufacturing base, and
we knew it was coming, (but because of the new sentencing) we knew
that those addicted to it instead of making it, not to say we won't
still have labs, but a lot of our folks now are going to be dependent
on buying it just like cocaine trafficking."

Byers noted that, in recent months, the number of labs found in the
county has fallen and he thinks that is because of the new laws as
well as increased law enforcment effort including more State Bureau
of Investigation agents.

"The word on the street when we talk to the addicts is that there
isn't anyone cooking in Rutherford County because everybody is
breathing on them," he said.

Byers also noted that a new law to start in January which will
require signatures to purchase products contain sudaphedrine will
also deter local cooks.

The $250,000 appropriation comes without any requirement for matching
local funds, something Byers said was critical in making the program feasible.

Byers was extremely pleased with the announcement of the grant, which
he says will be avialable in January.

Byers wrote a letter to McHenry in April of this year requesting the
funding, noting the that Rutherford County is becoming a crossroads
for both north-south and east-west trafficking.

"We are the interstate connector for much of the drug traffic from
Florida as well as Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte," the letter
stated. "Establishing interdiction teams in many surrounding
jursidictions are forcing drug traffickers to take alternate routes
and unfortunately Rutherford County is one of the new routes."

Byers said U.S. 221 is used to connect I-40 and I-85 while U.S. 74 is
used to run between Charlotte and Asheville.

He said 'superlabs' are appearing in areas like Atlanta.

The status of Rutherford County as one of the areas most heavily
impacted by meth was a big factor in the funding, the Congressmen indicated.

"I was pleased to be able to secure these funds through the
appropriations process," said Rep. Taylor. "Methamphetamine abuse is
the number one law enforcement issue in our region. Use and
production continue to grow and leave behind hopelessness and broken
families. It is my hope that this funding will help alleviate some of
the tragic effects of meth. I also believe that the Rutherford County
Sheriff's Department will be good stewards of this money. Their
dedication together with these new resources will go a long way
toward solving this problem."

McHenry agreed.

"Combating methamphetamines is a top priority in our communities
because of the devastation it causes to so many families, especially
in Rutherford County," said Congressman McHenry. "The Rutherford
County Sheriff's Department has been proactive in battling meth and
their commitment is paying off. I am confident that Chief Deputy
Philip Byers and his department will use this money to continue
fighting this deadly drug invading our communities."

Byers thanks the Congressmen for their efforts.

"Rutherford County and Western North Carolina have been stricken with
the methamphetamine epidemic," said Byers through McHenry's relase
about the appropriation. "Congressmen Taylor and Congressman McHenry
are working closely with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to
provide the federal funding that will help staff our Interstate Drug
Interdiction Team. Thanks to the tireless work of both Congressmen,
Rutherford County is one step closer to winning the war on
methamphetamine addiction and abuse."

The appropriation came through the FY06
State-Science-Justice-Commerce Appropriations.

The program, Byers anticipates, will be self-funded over time as the
team intercepts drugs and cash from deals. Some of the money must go
to the federal government, but much will come back to the local department.

If that happens, Byers said the money will also be used for education
and treatment programs.

He added that new drug dogs will also be a critical and needed
addition. He said they will be not be attack dogs, but dogs trained
only for drug detection.

The dogs will be made available to the local schools upon request.