Federal resources to further the coordination and development of drug control efforts among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers are headed to two Kentucky counties now designated for inclusion in the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, thanks to the efforts of U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY).
“In a state that suffers from the third-highest opioid overdose death rate in the nation, it is critical that we provide our local officials the resources they need to stop the flow of illegal, deadly drugs into our communities,” Rep. Barr said in a statement, adding that he advocated on behalf of the counties’ inclusion in the program with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
The Kentucky lawmakers commended the addition of Montgomery and Powell counties to the Appalachia HIDTA program because both areas have been heavily impacted by the influx of illicit methamphetamines and opioids.
In particular, the two counties have experienced an overwhelming number of drug-related offenses primarily related to their locations near the urban area of Lexington, which is bordered by major interstates and highways. Such geography attracts drug traffickers seeking easy access in and out of a region, Rep. Barr’s office said.
In 2017, more than 1,500 Kentuckians died due to drug overdoses.
“Montgomery and Powell County law enforcement officials are working overtime to combat drug trafficking in the region,” Sen. McConnell said. “By better leveraging government resources, we can help to stop the flow of illicit substances throughout Kentucky and elsewhere in the United States.”
Created by Congress in 1988, the HIDTA program supports law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which is part of the Executive Office of the President.
The ONDCP earlier this week contacted Sen. McConnell and Rep. Barr, who have advocated on behalf of the counties’ inclusion, to inform them of its decision to include the Kentucky counties in the Appalachia HIDTA, which also includes regions in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee.
The Kentucky counties are two of 10 counties nationwide that received the new designations for the HIDTA program, which provides them with coordination, equipment, technology, and additional resources to fight drug production and trafficking. The other counties that received designations are now part of the Ohio HIDTA, the Liberty Mid-Atlantic HIDTA, the Atlanta/Carolinas HIDTA, and the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA regional programs, according to the ONDCP.
Rep. Barr applauded officials in Montgomery and Powell counties for working with his office to secure the Appalachia HIDTA designations. “Their collaborative work with Kentucky’s law enforcement and other HIDTA-designated counties will be a tremendous boost in our efforts to fight drug trafficking and substance abuse in Kentucky,” said the congressman.
Likewise, several law enforcement officials from the counties also commended the lawmakers’ efforts.
“The inclusion of Montgomery County in the Appalachia HIDTA is great news,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Fred Shortridge. “I would especially like to thank Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr for leading on this issue and for being strong advocates on our behalf.”
Mount Sterling Chief of Police Wayne Green said the police department “is ready to fight back and we are so glad to have federal reinforcements” now that Montgomery County is part of the Appalachia HIDTA program, which he said will also improve the department’s ability to treat addictions.
Powell County Sheriff Danny Rogers noted that the county continues to suffer “devastating consequences” from the nationwide drug epidemic. “Thanks to Senator McConnell and Congressman Barr’s efforts, we will now have the support of HIDTA,” Rogers said, adding that Powell County law enforcement can now intensify its efforts “in combating this terrible scourge.”
Chief of Police Arthur Lacy of the Stanton Police Department said both lawmakers deserve credit “for always being strong voices for our community and bringing this important designation home. Our mission to protect and serve the people of Stanton just got a little bit easier.”
Rep. Barr, an HIDTA program advocate since 2013, also previously helped Madison County secure an Appalachia HIDTA designation. Madison, Montgomery and Powell counties are all in Barr’s 6th congressional district.
Earlier this year, the congressman also offered an amendment that was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act to increase funding for the HIDTA program by $6 million, which helped fully fund the program at $280 million, according to his office.