MANAGING DRUG FUND

Tennessee law provides a mechanism for law enforcement agencies across
the state to establish and maintain special accounts that can be used
to fund their drug enforcement programs. The legislature was very
specific on lawful use of funds that find their way into this account.

Bradley County has maintained a healthy drug fund since I took office
and even going on back several more years my predecessors operated a
special fund for drug enforcement activities. We have always taken a
pro-active approach to drug enforcement and have been fortunate to be
involved in several large seizures along I-75.

Where does the money come from? That's a question that is asked from
time to time. All fines and forfeitures from court cases involving
illegal substances, cash seizures in drug cases, the sale of vehicles
and property obtained through drug investigations all support the drug
fund.

Recently the county commission gave their approval to spending part of
a million dollar seizure earlier this year. That case alone grew the
fund by over $1.1 million. We will use some the money to purchase
much-needed equipment and will add two people to our staff. The
expenditures we requested were within guidelines of the law.

Expenditures are limited to four areas:

- - Local drug enforcement programs

- - Local drug education programs

- - Local drug treatment programs, and

- - Nonrecurring general law enforcement expenditures.

For a number of years we have funded the Drug Abuse and Resistance
Education Program (DARE) entirely from the drug fund. This program has
been presented to thousands of county school students, and we hope it
is where they attribute the decision to remain alcohol and drug free
during their lives.

We have also funded the salaries of our drug officers and a secretary
from the drug fund.

Drug funds can be used for undercover purchases within established
guidelines that are designed to ensure they are used for the intended
purpose.

Our drug fund has been a tremendous saving for taxpayers - these are
dollars we have generated through cases our drug unit has worked. This
is another avenue that we can use to fund law enforcement needs while
shifting the burden away from the county's general fund. We have
advanced in so many areas using financial resources the county
commission has provided.

When money is spent several people carefully scrutinize the
expenditure. The commission has a role in how this money is used.

It is our hope the drug fund will be an asset to our department and
Bradley County for funding the future needs of our department.