Gov. Nixon praises drug task forces during Poplar Bluff visit

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon on Monday visited Poplar Bluff to tout his efforts to increase funding to fight drugs through multi-jurisdictional drug task forces.

Flanked by police chiefs, sheriffs and highway patrolmen from across Southeast Missouri, Nixon expressed frustration that federal funding to Missouri's drug task forces had been cut from $6.2 million in fiscal year 2011 to $3.25 million.

"It just doesn't make sense to me," he said.

To overcome the deficit, Nixon has pledged an additional $3 million in funding to support agencies like the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force. The funding will be allocated if Nixon's proposed budget is approved.

The multi-jurisdictional task forces are important because they prevent criminals from traveling county to county to avoid prosecution, he said.

The 27 drug task forces across the state handled 21,000 cases, were responsible for 9,000 arrests and shut down 1,700 meth labs in fiscal year 2012, Nixon said.

"They're the best asset we have in this battle," he said.

The SEMO Drug Task Force includes law enforcement from Butler, Ripley, Stoddard, Wayne, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, New Madrid, Perry and Scott counties. In 2012, the task force handled 300 cases, with 380 arrests and 120 meth lab busts, on a budget of about $270,000.

Nixon also discussed the need for better treatment of mental health conditions, a point he reiterated when asked if he would support House Bill 209.

HB 209 states any federal law created after Jan. 1, 2013, that attempts to ban or restrict ownership of semi-automatic firearms or magazines in Missouri would be "unenforceable."

The bill has been read on the House floor but no other action has been taken.

"I don't ever do bill review in front of a microphone," Nixon said.

Recent mass shootings in Aurora, Colo., and Newtown, Conn., emphasize the need for mental health care, he added.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.