U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., wants money from the sale of property seized from drug dealers for criminal activity in Bartholomew County to stay locally and be available to law enforcement, he said during a visit to Columbus to discuss the opioid epidemic.
Drug asset forfeiture money was a major topic of discussion Saturday between Donnelly and Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Meyers at the sheriff’s department, just days before Tuesday’s election.
Currently, the future of drug asset forfeiture money is largely unsettled. Two dozen states and the District of Columbia have reformed their forfeiture laws since 2014. The changes include mandating data collection and reporting, strengthening standards of proof and requiring a criminal conviction before some or all forfeitures.
Last month, the Indiana Supreme Court heard arguments that all accrued forfeitures be used exclusively for school improvements, rather than provided to criminal justice or law enforcement agencies.
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With so many matters unsettled, most drug asset forfeiture money from the Columbus area is now being placed into one big pool, rather than being allocated for society’s betterment, said Donnelly, who is seeking re-election against two challengers, Republican Mike Braun and Libertarian Lucy Brenton.
“Those funds could be used for body cameras, bulletproof vests or several other things that could make this community a better place,” Donnelly said.
After recent incidents of drugs sneaked into the Bartholomew County Jail within body cavities, including at least one overdose death, Myers said he believes asset forfeiture money could also be used to purchase X-ray machines to examine inmates.
After explaining the county is expecting a large sum of forfeiture funds in the near future, the sheriff said he thinks giving a portion of these monies to law enforcement agency is one effective way to address the opioid crisis.
“The only way you are going to change these drug dealers is if you hit them in the pocket,” Myers said.
Donnelly has worked to address the opioid abuse crisis on the federal level.
Bipartisan federal legislation intended to help the fight against opioid addiction, which includes provisions by Donnelly and U.S. Sen Todd Young, R-Ind., was signed into law Oct. 24 by President Donald Trump.
The Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act includes three provisions introduced by both Donnelly and Young that focus on expanding the use of non-opioid and non-addictive pain medications and treatments, and bringing them to the market and to patients faster.
Donnelly’s other provision in the bill incentivizes substance use disorder providers to work in areas that have high overdose rates, or a shortage of providers. It provides up to $250,000 in student loan relief in exchange for six years of service.
Although the Republican sheriff and the senator represent different parties, Myers said Donnelly was crucial in getting a Bartholomew County deputy assigned to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in Indianapolis.
That deputy has helped to prosecute large city drug dealers who are responsible for sending heroin, methamphetamine and other narcotics to the Columbus area, Myers said.
The other topic Myers and Donnelly discussed was the “Residents Encounter Christ” program that has been conducted at the local jail multiple times in recent months, the sheriff said
It’s a three-day program where about 35 Christian volunteers come share their stories with inmates of how their faith has changed their lives, program spokeswoman Jamie Evans said.
While participation is strictly voluntary, Myers said he believes this religious program has changed the bad behavior of a number of inmates.
Beside Donnelly, 6th District congressional candidate Greg Pence has also met to learn about the “Residents Encounter Christ” program, the sheriff said.
