MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Wisconsin’s Health Services secretary has refused to support or apply for federal public health grants that would have brought the state over $9 million in the next five years.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said Health Secretary Dennis Smith has not pursued grants to fight drug-and-alcohol abuse, evaluate the health aspects of various public policies, and help eligible residents apply for government health programs.

The paper said Smith’s refusals came to light after the Walker administration changed its mind last month about not applying for $30-million in federal grants to fight obesity.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan Baker said he was especially surprised that the state would not try to get almost $9 million in federal money to fight alcohol-and-other-drug abuse.

Baker says Wisconsin is putting its head-in-the-sand while illegal drug use grows around the state, and drunk driving remains a huge problem.

Deputy Health Secretary Kitty Rhoades said it’s not true that the state turns its back on all federal health money. She said her department has applied for over 60 grants since the start of the year totaling $90-million.

But Rhoades – a former Assembly Republican from Hudson – said her department would not pursue federal money that duplicates other programs or is not needed. She says the administration is careful about its use of tax dollars – even if they’re federal dollars paid for by the entire nation.