Byrne JAG Program Gutted; Earmarked Programs Preferred by Congress

The National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) is seeking answers from Congress after it passed massive cuts to critical criminal justice programs in the FY08 omnibus appropriations bill.  The bill slashed $350 million, or 67 percent, from the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.  The cut comes only months after both the House and Senate voted to give the program a modest funding increase from FY 2007 levels.  The passage of the FY 2008 omnibus appropriations bill has resulted in the Byrne-JAG program being funded at $170 million for FY 2008 – LESS THAN 20% OF ITS AUTHORIZED FUNDING LEVEL. 
 
The Byrne JAG program provides funding to states and local areas to improve criminal justice system operations.  The funding leverages state and local resources to address the most pressing criminal problems in local areas.  Many states support multi-jurisdictional drug task forces that take down regional and local drug trafficking organizations including gangs.  Other uses for Byrne JAG include gang task forces, substance abuse prevention and treatment, crime victim support programs, drug courts, justice information sharing initiatives, sex offender management, community corrections, offender reentry and juvenile justice programs.
 
According to NNOAC President Ron Brooks, “the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has reported extremely encouraging reductions in illicit drug use, especially among teens.  In addition, domestic meth labs are way down, cocaine availability is down, and prices are up.  All these indicators of progress in our nation’s continuing struggle to prevent drug distribution and use are threatened because of the draconian cuts to the Byrne JAG program in this Omnibus Appropriations bill.” 
 
Brooks went on to say, “more than 26,000 Americans die each year as a direct result of drug abuse.  Drug abuse and addiction destroys communities, robs children of their hopes and dreams and weakens our economy. Drug sales fuel gangs and are responsible for much of our nation’s violent crime.  Drug trafficking is domestic terrorism and is a chemical attack on American communities.  It is irresponsible for our nation’s leaders to cut funding from the Byrne JAG program, the only assistance program that supports state and local drug enforcement efforts.  The fact that Congress chose to increase funding for earmarked programs instead of supporting the proven effective Byrne JAG program is extremely disappointing.”
 
At least 75 percent of every JAG dollar goes directly to local sheriffs’ and police departments.  JAG is a highly successful program that enjoys broad support within the criminal justice, drug prevention, and juvenile justice community.  State, local and tribal jurisdictions depend on this program to leverage local resources used to fight violence and drugs.  The NNOAC is concerned that drastic cuts to the Byrne JAG program will cause multi-jurisdictional drug task forces to disappear in many states, giving drug dealers a free pass.
 
The NNOAC represents 44 state narcotic officers associations with a combined membership of more than 69,000 law enforcement officers.  The NNOAC focuses on domestic and international drug-related crime issues by developing and maintaining relationships with the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Drug Enforcement Administration, Regional Information Sharing System (RISS), the National Guard Counter Drug Program and all other relevant agencies and programs.