Scott sheriff receives grant for meth officer

BENTON, Mo. --The Scott County Sheriff's Department will use nearly $100,000 in grant money to hire an investigator specifically to fight methamphetamine.

Sheriff Bill Ferrell said the sheriff's office has been approved to receive funding through the Missouri Sheriffs' Methamphetamine Relief Team Project.

The project, called the MoSMART program, aids sheriffs and rural drug task forces in their fight against clandestine methamphetamine labs. The funds may be used for personnel, training, equipment and prevention efforts.

Scott County was approved for $99,913 over a two-year period, which will be used to fill the new position of Scott County methamphetamine officer.

Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan is project director for the program, which is geared to help small, rural counties fight methamphetamine. Usually under tight budget constraints, the counties can't afford to fight methamphetamine effectively, Jordan said.

"The process was very competitive," Jordan said. "Requests for funding exceeded funds available by $842,000."

Ferrell said the Scott County methamphetamine officer will work closely with members of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force.

"I know we will be able to utilize this officer to full advantage," Ferrell said. "We have a definite problem with methamphetamine in our county and we will continue to address this problem, making cases and arresting those responsible."

Scott County did not apply for the first grant phase of funding a year ago because the sheriff's department didn't want to compete with the drug task force, which had also applied for funds.