Kentucky is pumping more money into the war on the illegal drug trade in Greenup, Lewis and Carter counties.

A grant of $171,000 has been awarded to FIVCO Area Drug Enforcement (FADE) Task Force, said state Rep. Jill York, R-Grayson.

The money comes through the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet from the Justice Assistance Grant federal funding program, and also from the state-funded Law Enforcement Services Fee grant program.

In all, more than $4 million in funds from these two programs has been handed out to law enforcement agencies across the state so far this year, York said.

“Keeping our children safe from the dangers of drugs has long been one of my top priorities,” York said. “This grant will help make sure that local law enforcement through the efforts of organizations like FADE can continue fighting the illegal drug trade in our communities.”

She said police agencies will use the money to combat not only drug sellers and users, but also the crimes associated with it, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, burglaries and thefts.

G. SAM PIATT can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.