Board praises sheriff as county accepts state grants for drug enforcement and substance‑use initiatives

The Rockingham County Board of Commissioners on July 31 acknowledged state grant awards for the sheriff’s office to fund drug enforcement and substance‑abuse reduction work.

Commissioners congratulated the sheriff’s office after staff announced the sheriff’s department received a “Granite Shields” grant of $195,000 to support drug‑task‑force activities. In a separate item the board accepted a substance abuse reduction initiative grant (referred to in the staff presentation with an amount described by staff as “under $95,000”) and recorded acceptance of the grant agreement.

Commissioner remarks praised the sheriff’s staff: one commissioner said, “I would like to congratulate the sheriff's department for successfully receiving a Granite Shields grant for $195,000. It's relative to their drug task force and the success that they've had.”

The sheriff, speaking later in the meeting, said the department appreciated the support: “we are really ecstatic over here that the state recognized that, you know, we are fighting the drug problem that's in Rockingham County,” and said the county would partner with area communities on the effort.

Why it matters: The grants provide dedicated funds to local law‑enforcement efforts against illicit drugs and to programs intended to reduce substance misuse; commissioners said they expect the sheriff’s office to manage the grants and report back through normal departmental channels.

The board approved acceptance of the award(s) by recorded voice vote. Staff did not present additional budget amendments during the grant acceptance motions; grant spending will follow the sheriff’s office appropriation and reporting rules.