Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana drug task forces awarded state grants

Three drug task forces in the Mahoning Valley will receive state grants to help disrupt the drug trade and promote substance use awareness, prevention and recovery.

The following grants were awarded Wednesday through the RecoveryOhio Law Enforcement Fund:

• Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force (Mahoning and Trumbull counties), $20,000;

• TAG Drug Task Force (Trumbull County), $20,000;

• Columbiana County Drug Task Force, $31,362.

“As many know, our state and the nation continue to struggle with rising numbers stemming from drug overdoses,” state Rep. Al Cutrona of Canfield, R-59th, said in a news release.

Nearly $2.3 million in grants from the RecoveryOhio Law Enforcement Fund are being awarded to 30 drug task forces in the state “to help them identify high-level drug traffickers, dismantle large drug trafficking organizations, interrupt the flow of money and drugs from international cartels, and prevent the sale of illegal narcotics to those suffering from substance use disorder,” a news release from Gov. Mike DeWine’s office states.

“I’m committed to supporting our local drug task forces, which are working hard to stop the cartels that continuously push drugs into our communities, causing crime and addiction,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in the release.

Grant funding will also be used to support the RecoveryOhio initiative, “which aims to increase substance use and mental health awareness, implement age-appropriate prevention education in schools, connect those who need help with treatment, and promote recovery.”

A list of all the grants that were awarded Wednesday can be viewed below. Click the icon in the upper-right corner to view a full-size version.

This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 4:52 PM.