The Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force was one of 15 drug addiction prevention organizations awarded a grant by Gov. Andy Beshear at Thursday’s Team Kentucky meeting where state drug addiction and trafficking prevention was the focus.
The Task Force received around $281,000 to provide educational programming about illegal drugs and how to combat distribution, hire additional personnel, intelligence sharing and surveillance according to a news release from Beshear’s Office.
The awards come from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, and in total the Grant awarded $2.1 million to drug addiction and trafficking prevention organizations.
Task Force Director David Thompson appeared at the meeting to receive the grant check from Beshear. Thompson says without grants from the government the Task Force would not exist and he appreciates the support.
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Along with awarding grants to state drug agencies and nonprofits. Beshear signed a proclamation recognizing international Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 in Kentucky. Furthering his campaign against illegal drugs in the commonwealth, Beshear spoke about the work he has done during his tenure as Governor to combat drug addiction and trafficking in Kentucky.
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Despite the many steps made toward combatting illegal drugs in Kentucky, Beshear notes that there is still progress that needs to be made in order to end Kentucky’s drug epidemic.