Contact: By: Editor

Wilmington | September 1, 2010 - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Ted Kaufman (both D-Del.) and U.S. Congressman Mike Castle (R-Del.) held a press conference at the Stern Armory in Wilmington to announce the appropriation of $300,000 for the Delaware National Guard Counterdrug Task Force to support the counterdrug efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as to expand the Guard’s drug education program, “Stay on Track,” to middle schools across the state. The funding will also help community-based organizations that have requested assistance in reducing the overall demand for drugs in their areas.

“This is an excellent example of a program that costs taxpayers relatively few dollars but has a huge impact on our State,” said Sen. Carper. “Last year, this program seized over a million dollars in drug money. The funding announced today means that additional personnel can be hired to assist the Delaware National Guard and their law enforcement and educational partners to reduce demand for drugs, raise awareness through materials and projects and to provide live support to those that are battling this problem on the front lines.”

“An investment in the Delaware National Guard’s counterdrug efforts is an investment in the safety of communities across the state,” said Sen. Kaufman. “With excellent drug prevention through educational visits to Delaware middle schools, the Counterdrug Task Force plays a key role in stemming drug use among young Delawareans.”

“The $300,000 for the Counterdrug Task Force will ensure the Delaware National Guard can continue to provide the support to federal, state, and local law enforcement needed to keep drugs out of our communities. Prevention is critical to counterdrug efforts, which is why this funding, which allows the task force to reach more students through their Drug Education Program,” said Congressman Castle.