Sheriff seeking drug force cash

LISBON -- The Columbiana County sheriff's office will go it alone in an effort to get more money for its drug task force.
Sheriff David Smith asked the county commissioners Wednesday to submit a grant application for $43,000 to the state.
The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services awards state and federal funds in the form of justice assistance grants for 2007.
Brian McLaughlin, the director of the county's task force, said the money would help provide equipment.
The county's drug task force is made up of officers from various local law enforcement agencies. The agencies continue to pay the salaries of the officers, leaving the task force to come up with money for equipment and drug buys.
Smith said he wasn't sure if the county will get all the money, but he expects it should receive some funding.
The task force had affiliated itself in the past with Mahoning or Trumbull counties in an effort to get more money for the task force. Smith said that Mahoning County is no longer interested in a partnership with Columbiana.
"Basically, we're on our own," Smith said.
The sheriff said he is still working on a separate plan to combine forces with smaller nearby counties in an effort to get more federal and state money.