FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 12, 2024) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that his administration is awarding $1.7 million in grant funding to 12 local and state agencies to fight drug trafficking and create safer communities.
As the administration remains committed to removing illicit drugs and further decreasing drug overdose deaths, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) will allow Kentucky’s law enforcement, drug task forces and nonprofit organizations to purchase critical resources, provide drug prevention programming to community residents, offer counseling to crime victims, ensure officers receive specialized training and work with individuals leaving incarceration for successful reentry skills.
“Every day we are creating a new Kentucky home, a home where our children are safer from falling prey to addiction, lives are being saved from overdose deaths and the state’s recidivism rate has been reduced,” Gov. Beshear said. “Together, we have moved our state forward and the commonwealth is becoming a national leader in public safety, and this funding furthers this momentum.”
Today’s announcement follows recent news by the Governor that in 2023, Kentucky saw a decline in overdose deaths for the second year in a row and that in July, the Kentucky State Police’s drug seizures amounted to over $9.6 million – the largest amount seized in one month in recent history.
For a full list of 2024-2025 award recipients, click here. Leaders from several organizations explained how these funds will assist them in combatting the sale, distribution and transportation of illegal drugs and increase the safety of their communities.
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) has been awarded $372,828 to support and expand its drug operations with local and federal agencies to remove illegal drugs throughout the commonwealth while also developing and implementing high-intensity coverage in areas with high drug abuse such as Lexington, Louisville, Owensboro, Northern Kentucky, London and Bowling Green.
“The KSP Drug Task Force has made tremendous progress removing illegal drugs off our streets and out of our communities. I am proud of the work our agency is doing and the many lives we have saved,” KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. said. “JAG grant funding is imperative to our continued operations. It provides our officers with critical resources to protect both themselves and Kentuckians, but also funding to receive additional training in drug interdiction.”
Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, serving a nine-county jurisdiction across the Barren River, Lincoln Trail and KIPDA Area Development Districts, has been awarded $196,307 to partner with local, state and federal agencies to identify, disrupt and dismantle mid to upper-level drug trafficking organizations.
“The Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force covers primarily seven counties, bringing together nine law enforcement agencies working together to combat the illegal trafficking of Narcotics in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force Director Ronald Eckart said. “We receive no funding from local governments and use the Byrne Jag funding for personnel and operating expenses for our day-to-day operations, without the grant we could not continue to operate. We are very thankful for the continued support of the Byrne JAG program being used for drug enforcement and supporting multi-jurisdictional Drug Taskforces throughout Kentucky.”
The Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force, which serves Bourbon and Harrison counties has been awarded $78,278 allowing them to carry out investigative and enforcement operations to curb the distribution and production of illegal drugs, including diverting prescription drugs, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
“The Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force has effectively used JAG funds to intercept more than 40,000 fatal doses of fentanyl. Given that the combined population of Harrison and Bourbon Counties is under 40,000, the quantity of fentanyl seized was sufficient to be lethal to many individuals in these counties,” Bluegrass Narcotics Task Force Director Mark Burden said. “The successful intervention mitigated a substantial public health threat and eliminated a dangerous drug from circulation, consequently decreasing the incidence of overdoses and fatalities in the community.”
For more information on the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, click here.
The Beshear-Coleman administration’s top priority is the safety of all Kentuckians. The Governor’s public safety actions are creating safer communities and a better Kentucky.
In December 2023, the Governor proposed a $500 increase to the law enforcement annual training stipend, but the General Assembly chose to provide a combined $262 increase over the next two years. The budget signed by the Governor raises the training stipend to an all-time high of $4,562 by fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the Governor is providing part-time law enforcement officers with an annual training stipend for the first time in the history of the commonwealth.
Since taking office, Gov. Beshear has awarded nearly $12 million in grant funding to assist state and local law enforcement agencies with enhancing public and officer safety, curbing the sale of illegal drugs and fighting addiction.
In 2023, the state supported the distribution of more than 160,000 doses of Narcan. The state’s Treatment Access Program also allows those without health insurance to enter residential treatment, and the Recovery Ready certification helps communities support residents who are seeking help for drug or alcohol addiction.
The state is also leading the nation in the number of residential drug and alcohol treatment beds per capita.
The administration has also recorded the three lowest recidivism rates in over a decade. This year, Gov. Beshear announced a new website to support Kentuckians seeking second chances find a job, get an education or continue recovery. The site also connects business leaders with resources to help them hire second-chance talent.
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