"Senator Grassley and I have heard the call from local law enforcement from Iowa and from across the nation - they need more training resources for their drug investigations," said Harkin. "It is our hope that the Committee will recognize this need and include it in their annual budget blueprint for Defense."
"Our letter underscores the importance of establishing a federally sponsored counter-drug training school to help state and local law enforcement officers in the Midwest," said Grassley. "The ideal location for this new training center is in Iowa. We need all the resources available to fight methamphetamine and other illegal drugs in the state. And this counter-drug school could make a significant contribution at the grassroots."
Four of these National Guard training schools are currently in operation. The requested language would add a fifth school for the Midwest and solidify funding for all five schools. Camp Dodge would serve 18 Midwestern and Northwestern states.
The National Guard fills a critical domestic need in providing counter-drug training to federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel, as well as their community and non-government entities, on both interdiction and demand reduction issues. The Camp Dodge school would serve as a narcotics investigation and enforcement training center for state and local law enforcement agencies. The National Guard estimates the Midwest counter drug school would cost $3 million in fiscal year 2002 for start-up expenses, with $5 million to be provided yearly after that to support additional training.
Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Thad Cochran (R-AL) also signed on to the letter.