The Ironton Police Department is getting a little help fighting prescription drug abuse related crimes.

The department has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigations.

NADDI is a non-profit organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement agencies and pharmaceutical manufacturers to prevent and investigate prescription drug abuse.

The law enforcement grant is sponsored by Purdue Pharma to help address problems of prescription drug abuse.

The department will use the funds to defray the cost of committing Ironton Police Officer Larry Large to focus solely on prescription medication abuse crimes and increased enforcement.

Large has been a member of the department for just over a year but previously worked on the U.S. 23 Pipeline Task Force and has a background in narcotics.

The department is also establishing a tip line for drug-related crimes. Ironton Police Chief Jim Carey said the department hopes to have the tip line established by Oct. 6.

The number will be 740-547-8496. Anyone calling the line will not be required to give their name or number, but if anyone does, it will remain anonymous, Carey said.

The department has seen an increase this year in drug-related crimes.

In 2009, the IPD had 49 drug-related cases for the year.

As of June 2010, there were already 53 cases for the year, Carey said. From 2007 to 2009, the department’s drug cases have increased more than 200 percent.