Obey in Wausau for Update on Regional Efforts to Fight Methamphetamine

Obey In WAUSAU for Update on REGIONAL Efforts to fight methamphetamine

Seventh District Congressman Dave Obey was in Wausau today for an update from Marathon County Sheriff Randy Hoenisch on County efforts to fight the methamphetamine epidemic and other law enforcement concerns. Obey and Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) have secured $700,000 in federal funds since 2002 for the Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force to help the region deal with the methamphetamine problem. Additionally, the House has approved Obey's request for federal funding in next year's budget to help the North East Wisconsin Communications (NEWCOM) group upgrade public safety communications in the area. That is expected to be funded at around $200,000 if the Senate and the President agree.

"We've seen a real drop in meth cases since Governor Doyle signed the anti-meth law last year but methamphetamine use is still a real problem putting real strain on our law enforcement agencies and our communities," said Obey. "That's why I'm here today for an update on how the federal funds Senator Kohl and I secured are being used to combat the meth problem and to get a clearer understanding of how Administration cuts in law enforcement funding will affect the program here in Wisconsin."

Pointing out that the Administration and Republican leaders in Congress have cut federal funding for state and local law enforcement grants in half since 2001, Obey added that "it's hard to see how we can maintain progress in combating the meth problem if they continue to make less money available to our local law enforcement agencies."

The Central Wisconsin Drug Task Force was established in 2002 to battle the meth problem in the region. It is currently comprised of personnel from the Sheriff Departments of 32 counties, covering 30,000 square miles and over one million people. The Marathon County Sheriff's Department serves as the task force coordinator and manages its funds. In addition to helping educate local law enforcement and the public on the dangers of methamphetamine, the federal funds that Obey secured have helped procure highly specialized equipment, such as vehicle trackers, video surveillance gear, night vision devices, and crime laboratory drug testing equipment, which are stationed throughout the task force area.

The NEWCOM group is a cooperative partnership of 16 counties representing over 600,000 people, 14,500 square miles, and over 500 law enforcement groups, with the goal of establishing an interoperable public safety mobile radio system and mobile data system for the region. Oneida County leads the project, with Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Price, Taylor, and Wood Counties in the Seventh Congressional District and Florence, Forest, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Shawano, Vilas, and Waupaca Counties participating.

http://obey.house.gov/HoR/WI07/Newsroom/Press+Releases/Obey+Gets+Law+Enforcement+Update+In+Marathon+County.htm