Anthony Coulson, assistant special agent in charge of the US Drug Enforcement Administration in Tucson, Arizona says the DEA has already surpassed last year's numbers for the amount of drugs seized at the border between the United States and Mexico.

"According to US Customs and Border Protection figures, which include only amounts that CBP agents seize, 1.7 million pounds of marijuana were seized along with US border with Mexico so far this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30... The previous record, for all of fiscal 2006, was about 1.3 million pounds."

The increased amount may be the result of improved boarder security or an increase in the amount being shipped from Mexico. An increase in the number of boarder agents, use of X-ray machines, sensors, and canine units are all believed to have contributed to more seizures.

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Labels: criminal_justice, drug-sniffing dogs, drug_trafficking

In response to a request from Florida Governor Charlie Crist for proposed budget cuts, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement suggested eliminating the over $300,000 that is currently spent on the state's DARE program. FDLE officials cited studies which have found the program to be ineffective.

"The office cited a 2003 U.S. Government Accountability Office analysis of several DARE studies, which concluded the program had 'no statistically significant long-term effect on preventing illicit drug use.' The U.S. Department of Education and surgeon general also have found DARE to be ineffective."

If Florida cuts its DARE program it will join states such as Illinois, California, Michigan, Washington and Wisconsin which have made similar cuts. Read more at HighTimes.com.

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Labels: cost_of_addiction, criminal_justice, prevention

The U.S. Department of Justice has partnered with other service organizations and foundations to offer grants to communities willing to develop a juvenile drug court program that's in keeping with the Reclaiming Futures model.

"RWJF [Robert Wood Johnson Foundation] launched Reclaiming Futures in 2002 to change the way judges, probation officers, treatment providers, families and community members work to help youth in the justice system get off drugs and alcohol."

The program combines system reform, treatment improvement and community engagement to help teens. The grants up to $425,000 for a period of four years will be awarded to up to four communities. Read more at Home.BusinessWire.com.

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Labels: criminal_justice, drug_abuse, drug_courts

Dr. Berth K. Madras, U.S. Deputy Drug Czar was in Georgia on Wednesday, where she praised the efforts of those who are part of the national drug court system. There are over 1,900 drug courts nationwide that see over 16,000 people a year - and many of those people turn their lives around.

"'Drug courts are a cost-effective and innovative way to combat substance abuse in our society,' continued Dr. Madras. 'Now tested and proven on a relatively small scale, drug courts must serve as a model for how to address the broadest population of substance users in the criminal justice system..."

President Bush has committed an additional $21.7 million to expanding and further resourcing U.S. drug courts. Read more at TheCitizenNews.com.

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Labels: criminal_justice, drug_courts, prevention