WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs has released $1,052,157 in funds to the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy to help fight drug and alcohol abuse.
“These funds will be used to provide resources for prevention, treatment and law enforcement efforts against alcohol and drug use,” Grassley said. “I’ve consistently fought for more federal funds to help fight drug abuse across the country. Unfortunately, funding was reduced this year for these vital programs. I will continue to fight for full funding so that state and local law enforcement officers have the resources and tools necessary to get dangerous drugs off our streets.”
The funds are through the fiscal 2008 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program. The Program helps provide states, tribes and local governments with technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual supports and information systems for criminal justice in the areas of law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, corrections and community corrections programs, drug treatment programs, planning, evaluation and technology improvement programs and crime victim and witness programs. Local Iowa law enforcement agencies have a history of using these funds to help curb methamphetamine use.
Grassley has supported efforts to increase funding available to state and local law enforcement in the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant Program. Earlier this year he supported adding additional funds to the program in the Supplemental Appropriations bill.