States Get Drug-War Grants

DRUG-abuse grants totaling $118.8 million will be distributed to the 50 states, five territorial governments and the District of Columbia, Attorney General Dick Thornburgh announced Sunday. ``These grants will assist state and local criminal justice agencies in carrying out their part of the international war on drugs,'' Mr. Thornburgh said. The awards, intended to strengthen local efforts to stop illegal drug trafficking and consumption, are to be matched by a 25 percent contribution from local government.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, which allocates the grants according to population, will award approximately $30 million more during the current fiscal year. President Reagan had proposed eliminating such grants from the 1990 budget, while President Bush has proposed a $150 million program for that year.