Fifteen years ago, representatives from various agencies within southwest Missouri formed the multi-jurisdictional enforcement group known as the Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force.  In its infancy, the drug task force only had two full time agents and on occasion, as manpower allowed, one of the member agencies would loan the Task Force an officer to assist.  As of today, there are five full time agents to include a Director of Operations and a Field Supervisor.  Four of the agent’s salaries are funded by NCAP grants; the other agent’s salary is funded through the Missouri Sheriff Methamphetamine Relief Team (MOSMART).  Due to budget constraints of the member agencies, none are able to assign an officer to assist the task force; as a result, the Task Force is dependent upon federal and state funding to enable us to continue to suppress the narcotics trade in southwest Missouri.