"The funding is a step in the right direction. It's a down payment to help the Guard keep the anti-drug program running, but it's only a temporary fix. We've got to keep working towards a long-term solution. The National Guard has been on the frontlines of the war against drugs and eliminating key positions means we lose valuable experience and training that will take years to rebuild," Grassley said.
Without the funding, the National Guard will be forced to terminate more than 1,000 anti-drug positions this year, including 14 in Iowa. The Guard laid off 482 anti-drug personnel in the first quarter of fiscal year 2002. Grassley said today's announcement will help keep some people in their jobs.
Grassley also said that the Office of National Drug Control Policy may allocate an additional $5 million for the program in the near future.
Grassley has been actively pursuing additional money for the National Guard since funding was not fully appropriated for this program. Over the past two months, Grassley has sent letters to President Bush, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, and Office of National Drug Control Policy Director John Walters urging them to address the funding needs.