U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) applauded an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) grant on Wednesday that would help New Hampshire fight its drug abuse epidemic.
The ONDCP announced $17 million in funding for its High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, which includes funding for programs in New Hampshire.
“In the fight against the heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic, New Hampshire needs all the help it can get, and today’s announcement of new grant funding for our state will be a significant help on that front,” Ayotte said.
Ayotte has been a longtime supporter of the HIDTA program, leading calls for Congress to prioritize funding for the program for the past four years.
“I’ve long been a supporter of the HIDTA program, especially as it encourages collaboration to fight the trafficking of heroin and fentanyl across state lines,” Ayotte said. “These grants, combined with the funding Congress has already allocated to fight this epidemic, and the new policy framework established under CARA, will help turn the tide of addiction and save lives.”
Ayotte led a letter to ONDCP Director Michael Botticelli in 2014 voicing support for Rockingham County, New Hampshire, to receive an HIDTA designation. The following September, ONDCP announced that the county had successfully petitioned to be included in the New England HIDTA.