Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen says violent crime and drug trafficking is skyrocketing in the state.

In an interview, Knudsen says a weak U.S. southern border is sending deadlier drugs to Montana. They're the center of many other crime problems, and officers need to be able to keep up.

"Drug use is up in Montana, crime is up in Montana, and we really haven't really addressed law enforcement funding in Montana for several, several administrations now," Knudsen said.

The state justice department is asking for about $7 million altogether, in the current budget proposal at the legislature, for more officers, equipment and support.