Dwindling Funds for Drug Task Forces
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Drugs and crime go hand in hand, task forces set up across the state to fight those problems are seeing their funding dwindle. Even to the point of no funding at all.
The task force in Pike and Coffee County has been around for more than 20 years. It used to receive more than $260,000 a year, but now that’s down to less than $50,000.
Leaders of the task force decided to not even apply for federal grant money distributed through the state. Because it’s gotten too competitive and sparse.
Russell Thomas, Pike County Sheriff said, “We are going to continue to make cases, we are going to continue to be effective and we are going to continue to try to erratic drugs from this county and surrounding counties and continue to work together. But, it’s disappointing when people on the front lines are doing the work and the resources are not being provided by the state and federal government like it should be.”
The money used to go towards funding vehicles, salaries and equipment. The task force won’t go away, but now it’ll be the responsibility of the agencies and counties to fund.
