GRANT AIMED AT DRUG USE

TUSCALOOSA - The West Alabama Narcotics Task Force will receive a $310,600
grant to assist in its efforts to reduce drug use and drug-related crime in
the area.

The task force is a coalition composed of the Tuscaloosa County District
Attorney's Office, the sheriff's department, Tuscaloosa and Northport
police departments and the University of Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Task force officials estimate that 80 percent to 95 percent of violent
crimes in the county, including half of the homicides, are drug related.

"We must continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute drug dealers whether
they are in our major cities or rural communities," said Gov. Bob Riley,
who announced the grant Tuesday. "I commend the task force in their efforts
to reduce illegal drug activity."

The grant money was made available to the state through a program of the
U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Economic and
Community Affairs will administer the grant.