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f C�] L] Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Forrrulla Grarlt Pragram dealing family in the area. The grant year 1996-97, reflected an increase in work load for the M.A.C.E. Unit. Along with crack cocaine and growing marijuana activity, enforcement and effort were made to address the growing problem of teenage use of Rohypnol, Ecstacy, and LSD and resulted in several arrest in these areas of abuse. Another problem area addressed is an organized effort to commit prescription fraud throughout multiple jurisdictions. A group scattered in three counties had a network of obtaining dilaudud (synthetic heroin) by fraud. Eighteen cases were made in this effort. The shipment and use of anabolic steroids from the state of Florida and the USA to France resulted in arrests. It would be extremely difficult to pursue this type of elicit activity without this task force concept. The grant year 1997-98 has been a blur of activity for the M.A.C.E. Unit. The most popular drugs, with the exception of heroin, have slithered their way into the fabric of Indian River County Society. Juvenile marijuana use has increased to 35% among high school students and so have the arrests. The M.A.C.E. Unit, in concert with the local school superintendent, conducted a three month "undercover operation". This operation involved having a law enforcement officer pose as a student. This was an intelligence gathering operation that yielded important information on the attitude of our young people regarding drugs. f=ive adult offenders were arrested for selling narcotics to high school students. An increase of prescription fraud cases have kept the M.A.C.E. detectives busy. The overall activity is reflected by five of the grant objectives being met or exceeded with several months till the end of the grant year. This task force concept allows us to accomplish our goals that would not be reached without it. The continued funding of this project is imperative for effective drug enforcement and education in Indian River County. Project year 1999 - 2000 has the M.A.C.E- Unit on track to meet the majority of our objectives. We continue to Investigate large numbers of prescription fraud cases. The M.A.C.E. Unit has networked with 'local doctors, pharmacies, and neighboring counties to address these cases. The project has seized and forfeited approximately ninety thousand dollars in illicit drug profits. We continue to receive information through our Community Policing officers and are attacking drug related crimes in affected neighborhoods. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Multi- Agency Criminal Enforcement Unit (M.A.C.E.), task force, is comprised of officers from the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, the Vero Beach Police Department, and the Sebastian Police Department. Activities of the Unit are overseen by a coordinating board comprised of the Indian River County Sheriff and Police Chiefs from both Vero Beach and Sebastian Police Departments. The board meets on a quarterly basis and more frequently when necessary. The number of officers assigned to the unit varies depending ora which agency provides the task force Director, The Director is chosen by a unanimous vote of the Board. There are usually a minimum of five (5) members assigned to the task force under the full and sole supervision of the task force director. The goal of the task force is to suppress the current level of drug activity throughout Indian River County. This goal is being achieved by consolidating the wide variety of talent, expertise, ideas, and resources of the three member agencies The combination of these resources, coupled with financial and material resources offered through the grant, has created a motivated, coordinated and cohesive unit dedicated to combating the drug problem S4,6%rpr Ax( -Ca? -an 3# -d -,i i, - i air i d rap