This letter concerns President Clif Roberts and my travel to Washington DC to represent the ANOA to the National Narcotics Officers Association Coalition meeting. The meeting was attended by 105 representatives from
44 states. The primary funding issues discussed were the Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant, which funds 31 drug task forces in Alabama as well as rehabilitation and drug courts; the National Guard Counter Drug Program
which funds the Regional Counter-Drug Training Academy (RCTA) in Meridian, Ms; and the Regional Information Sharing System which also funds the Regional Organized Crime Information Center (ROCIC). In
addition, a nationwide “round up” by Byrne-JAG funded drug task forces was discussed. This round up of drug violators occurred on March 5, 2008. Thank you for all of the task forces that participated!!

We met with staff members of all Senator and Congressional Offices concerning the previously mentioned concerns. We were also able to personally meet with Alabama Congressmen Spencer Bachus, Jo Bonner,
Artur Davis and Mike Rogers. All of the Congressmen and staff were extremely supportive and pledged support for additional funding for law enforcement. Statistics were provided to staffers for the 31 drug task
forces as well as contact information of all task force commanders. Invitations were also made to staffers to participate in “ride a long” programs at their home police departments. This invitation was provided
so that the staffers could better understand the benefits of proper funding and support of law enforcement.

We will continue to correspond with Congressional Leaders throughout the year. Our activities representing the Alabama Narcotic Officers Association will continue with future conferences and training activities. These activities will continue to not only benefit ANOA Members, but all of law enforcement in Alabama.

On March 5, 2008, nineteen Byrne-JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) drug task forces from across the State of Alabama participated in a nation wide round up of drug violators. The round up targeted drug dealers in rural and urban neighborhoods, not addicts or users.

On this date 19 drug task forces made arrests totaling 286 persons. The operation resulted in seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, 11 firearms, 24 meth labs,stolen property and $25,013.00 in US currency. 15 endangered children were also discovered and referred to the Department of Human Resources. 36 Search warrants were executed.

The federally funded Byrne-Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) not only funds these vital drug task forces across the state, but also Drug Courts and rehabilitation programs. It is vital that Congress properly fund this grant for local law enforcement. State and local governments can not conduct this fight alone. Drug trafficking is an international problem that affects the citizens of Alabama at a neighborhood level.

This operation was coordinated by the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies (NASDEA) and supported by the National Narcotics Officers Association Coalition (NNOAC) and the Alabama Narcotics Officers Association (ANOA).