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Congress Shortchanges State and Local Drug Enforcement in FY 2008 Omnibus Appropriations |
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Wednesday, 26 December 2007 22:06 |
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. |
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Alabama Drug Task Forces participate in nationwide round up |
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Thursday, 06 March 2008 12:00 |
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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). |
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ANOA officers travel to Washington for NOAC meeting |
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Sunday, 09 March 2008 14:03 |
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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. |
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ANOA officers travel to D.C. |
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Monday, 16 February 2009 23:59 |
Last week ANOA President Clif Roberts and I traveled to Washington DC to attend the National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) meeting. The week was very rewarding with new relationships formed and friendships made.
Briefings and meetings with the NNOAC included presentations by Ms. Betty Sembler, founder, and Professor Calvina Fay Executive Director, of the Drug Free American Foundation and Save Our Society from Drugs; U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon; Acting Attorney General & Principle Deputy Attorney General Laurie Robinson from the United States Department of Justice; Mr. Stephen Pasierb President and CEO of The Partnership for a Drug Free America; Fraternal Order of Police National President Chuck Canterbury; Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Michele Leonhart; U.S. Senator Amy Klobacher of Minnesota; U.S. Representative Bart Stupak of Michigan; U.S. Representative David Reichert of Washington; the National Drug Intelligence Center and many, many others.
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