08.13.14

Hoeven Announces Nearly $525,000 in Law Enforcement Grants for Narcotics Enforcement, Victim Services, Substance Abuse Treatment

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded nearly $525,000 in grant funds for the North Dakota Office of the Attorney General (AG). The funds were made available through two DOJ programs, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program. The details of the awards follow:

• JAG Program – $481,818 – This program supports a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. The AG office will use the funds to enhance narcotics enforcement through multi-jurisdictional task forces, providing dedicated investigations into drug trafficking and coordinated drug control efforts. The funds will also support services for victims of violent crime, including shelter, protection order preparation, children's medical and forensic examinations and advocacy.

• RSAT Program – $42,244 – This program assists state and local governments in developing and implementing substance abuse treatment and reintegration programs both in correctional facilities and community-based aftercare services. The AG may use the funds for either residential, jail-based or aftercare programs, with at least 10 percent of the award being made available for local correctional and detention facilities.

“We’re working in a variety of ways to support our communities’ efforts to maintain their high quality of life,” Hoeven said. “To that end, these funds will empower our law enforcement officials to better protect our communities from drug trafficking and violent crime through shared information and planning while also supporting substance abuse rehabilitation services.”

Last month, Senator Hoeven called on the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to better support local and state officials in fighting drug crimes and to provide additional DEA agents to help investigate drug cases in western North Dakota. The senator pressed for these additional resources in light of new crime statistics showing an increase in drug related activities in the state.

Additionally, the Senate Appropriations Committee, of which Hoeven is a member, passed the Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations bill this past June, which directs the DOJ to develop a plan to support law enforcement in the Bakken.