By By Lisa Tindell
The 21st Judicial Drug Task Force may be breathing a little easier after receiving a $145,000 grant to aid in operations of the agency.
"The $145,000 state grant is to be used for operations of the Task Force only," Commission Chairman David Stokes said. "The funds will be used for things like salaries and expenses."
The grant, which requires an equal match from Escambia County and municipalities within the county, was announced by Gov. Bob Riley's office last week.
"The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is working hard to take drug offenders off the streets," Riley said. "I am pleased to provide this grant to help them continue protecting the residents of Escambia County."
The task force is a joint operation of the Atmore, Brewton, East Brewton and Flomaton police departments, the Escambia County District Attorney's Office and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. All involved agencies combine efforts to disrupt drug organizations and their shipments, share intelligence relating to illegal drug activities and prosecute users and dealers of illegal drugs. The task force also works to reduce the illegal distribution of prescription drugs.
The grant awarded to the Task Force will be matched with funds from the Escambia County Commission, the Escambia County District Attorney's office and the Atmore and Brewton police departments Stokes said.
Statistics released from Riley's office show the task force seized more than 900 grams of cocaine and hundreds of prescription drugs obtained illegally since October 2006. The unit also confiscated more than 1,000 pounds of crystal methamphetamine last year.
The grant was awarded through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice.