Emily Burton
Register News Writer
RICHMOND —
A grant will help the Central Kentucky Area Drug Task Force further its goal of eliminating illegal drugs from Madison County for another year.
On Thursday, Gov. Steve Beshear announced that the task force had been selected to receive a $135,000 grant.
The money will help pay the salary of Cheryl Cross, task force administrative assistant, and to purchase new equipment, said Jason Parker, interim director of the Central Kentucky Area Drug Task Force.
Without the funds, the agency couldn’t go on, Parker said.
The grant was one for which the task force applies every year, Parker said.
The task force was one of 54 agencies across the state to receive a Byrne/Justice grant.
Edward Byrne Memorial Assistance Grants are awarded by the Justice Assistance Grant program through the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a division of the United States Justice Department.
The grant helps law enforcement agencies across the country with not only drug enforcement, but prevention and education, among a wide array of functions.
“If we didn’t have the grant, we couldn’t operate,” Parker said.
The press release said the monies, “Will help law enforcement agencies, drug task forces and other criminal justice programs stop the spread of drugs and improve the quality of life in Kentucky communities.”
In addition to the federal money, 16 state grants were awarded to other agencies.
“My administration is committed to assisting local law enforcement agencies across Kentucky as they perform the duties necessary to keep their communities safe,” Beshear said in a press release.
Emily Burton may be reached at eburton@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694. Follow Emily on Twitter at, RR_EBurton@twitter.com
