Seized assets fund programs on drug evils

Assets seized from drug dealers in the DuPage County area continue to permit State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett to provide grants for funding drug-prevention programs.

Birkett announced last month that grants totaling $11,683 have been allocated to 25 initiatives through his Drug Forfeiture Grant Program.

Established in 1990, the program has awarded 443 grants with a total value of more than $160,000. “Education and awareness of these dangerous substances are our first line of defense,” the state’s attorney said at the Jan. 29 ceremony.

He added that “our children are our most precious resource and we must do all we can to ensure that they steer clear of drugs and the pain and devastation they bring.”

Financial assistance is provided for programs such as Red Ribbon and Character Counts, as well as scholarships for low-income and high-risk students to attend drug prevention curriculum presentations.

Funds also support, in part, operation of the state’s attorney’s Narcotics Unit.