NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR WAR ON DRUGS:

Alabama has 31 law-enforcement, multijurisdictional, drug task forces
that are primarily funded through federal funds.

The task forces are the front line on the war on drugs, in which
about 26,000 Americans die each year. The vast majority of these task
forces operate in rural areas where law enforcement does not have the
resources to protect the citizens.

Congress recently passed the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. This
bill included a cut of about 67 percent of the funding to local
law-enforcement drug task forces. The Byrne-JAG (Justice Assistance
Grant) has been authorized at a level of $1.1 billion by the U.S.
Senate. However, continuous budget cuts have resulted in the
reduction of funding to the level of $170 million for the 2008
budget. This figure also includes funding for drug courts, treatment
and prevention.

In comparison, the 2007 budget had a somewhat acceptable level of
funding at $520 million. The citizens of Alabama need to be aware of
this drastic cut in funding. These drug task forces will not be able
to be effective, or exist, at this funding level.

Jim Henderson

Vice president

Alabama Narcotic Officers Association

Birmingham