THE 12TH JUDICIAL DRUG TASK FORCE IS TASKED WITH INVESTIGATING AND DISMANTLING ILLEGAL NARCOTICS VIOLATORS IN SEBASTIAN AND CRAWFORD COUNTIES WHICH HAVE A COMBINED POPULATION OF JUST UNDER 200,000 RESIDENTS. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE TASK FORCE OBSERVED A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN NARCOTIC OVERDOSE DEATHS DUE TO THE INFLUX OF FENTANYL BEING TRAFFICKED INTO THE COUNTIES. THE SAFETY OF THE TASK FORCE INVESTIGATORS IS PARAMOUNT. THE COUNTY REQUESTS ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO ASSIST IN PROPERLY EQUIPPING THE TASK FORCE WITH THE PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT THAT WILL MAKE THEIR JOBS SAFER IN HANDLING THE ILLICIT NARCOTICS TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY DANGERS TO THEIR INVESTIGATORS AND COMMUNITY.