In May, Grassley wrote to Senate appropriators to request the $5 million in fiscal 2003 funding to establish the counterdrug school at Camp Dodge. The National Guard would use the facility to train local law enforcement and community anti-drug coalitions from Midwestern and Northwestern states in practices to fight illegal drug use.
The National Guard operates four similar schools in Pennsylvania, Florida, Mississippi, and California. More than 70 percent of the classes that are currently offered at the four existing training schools are applicable to counter-terrorism and homeland security missions local law enforcement agencies may face.
In August 2000, Grassley first raised the idea of a Guard counterdrug school in Iowa in a letter he wrote to then-Drug Czar Barry McCaffrey. In March 2001, Grassley was joined by Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa in introducing legislation to establish the school. Since that time, Grassley has repeatedly worked for funding opportunities for the facility.
Following is Grassley's statement:
"Since September 11, the National Guard has proven its value in supporting state and local law enforcement with homeland security efforts. A counterdrug school at Camp Dodge would provide Iowa's law enforcement with additional training so they can better fight illegal drugs in our communities. Iowa's central location makes it ideal for reaching other states in the region and Iowa's fiber-optic communications network is well-suited to help the Guard reach out to law enforcement personnel across the state."