PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Officials say the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency stands to lose seven of its 49 drug agents in the coming year because of a loss of federal money.
MDEA Director Roy McKinney tells the Maine Sunday Telegram that five positions now funded with federal stimulus money will have to be eliminated. He says funding is also being cut for two other positions that were part of a special congressional appropriation to fight prescription drug abuse in northern Maine.
Of the MDEA’s 49 officers, 31 are funded with federal money and 18 are paid for with state money.
South Portland Police Chief Ed Googins said the funding cuts come at a time when police departments are seeing an increase in crime associated with drug addiction.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
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