MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $1.6 million to combat illegal drugs and drug-related crime across Alabama.
Gov. Ivey allocated $200,000 each to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the state’s seven regional drug task forces. Each regional task force is made up from personnel from law enforcement agencies within the region. ALEA serves as the administrator of the overall task force program.
“Illegal drugs are a serious threat to our communities, causing significant harm and heartbreak,” Gov. Ivey said. “I commend the brave officers of our task forces for their tireless work to remove illegal drugs and drug traffickers from our streets, making our communities safer.”
The task forces were created in 2018, and each one covers eight to 12 counties. Despite being regionalized, the task forces often combine resources and personnel to stop the sale and transportation of drugs and to arrest large suppliers of drugs.
In 2024, Alabama’s drug task forces made nearly 1,200 arrests, confiscated almost $800,000 and took multiple types of illegal drugs and other outlawed substances off the streets, according to ALEA.
The $1.6 million in grant funds will be used to cover overtime and operational and equipment expenses. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants using funds from the U.S. Department of Justice.
“ADECA is pleased join Gov. Ivey to support this important program that helps rid our communities of dangerous drugs,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “This initiative plays a crucial role in improving public safety throughout Alabama.”
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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