Bill increases funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program to surge support to law enforcement agencies

From January to June, nearly 7 million fentanyl-laced pills and 3,725 pounds of fentanyl powder were seized in California; Overdose deaths involving illicit fentanyl among kids aged 10-19 skyrocketed 182% between 2019 and 2021

San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow and national law enforcement organizations support the Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act

September 18, 2024 - WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Representatives Josh Harder (CA-9) and Nathaniel Moran (TX-1) introduced a bipartisan bill to expand the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to surge support for law enforcement’s battle combating the deadly rise in drug trafficking. The Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act authorizes an additional $102 million for HIDTA to expand fatal overdose investigation teams and crime gun intelligence centers. Drug trafficking is a major issue in the Valley – San Joaquin and Sacramento Counties are classified as high-intensity drug trafficking areas. Nearly 7 million fentanyl-laced pills and 3,725 pounds of fentanyl powder were seized in California this year between January and June, and many of those busts occurred in the Valley.

This bill would specifically allow Central Valley HIDTA to be able to expand their programs to include:

• Fatal overdose investigation teams – After a fatal overdose, the victim’s last phone call is usually the dealer who supplied the drugs. HIDTA overdose investigation teams are trained to respond to fatal overdoses and pull critical evidence to track down suppliers.
• Crime gun intelligence centers – These centers (CGICs) are staffed by federal agents, investigators, forensics experts, intelligence specialists, and other law enforcement members to prevent violent crime and get illegal guns out of communities.
• Youth-based prevention efforts – These initiatives have proven to be effective in other HIDTA regions of the country to prevent young people from ever getting involved in illegal drug activities.

“We are losing too many people to drug overdoses, and we have to crack down on the criminals dealing these deadly drugs,” said Rep. Harder. “Expanding the HIDTA program will get law enforcement agencies in the Central Valley the tools they need to track down these drug dealers and stop the flow of fentanyl into our community.”

“The accelerating drug crisis in our country is claiming far too many American lives and is costing the American taxpayers untold sums dealing with the aftermath of its devastating effects,” said Congressman Moran. “This legislation is an important step in the fight to combat the violent criminals bringing fentanyl and other lethal drugs into our country that threaten the safety of all Americans. By strengthening the support for our law enforcement tasked with fighting this epidemic, we can work to protect the health, safety, and security of our communities.”

“Central Valley HIDTA is crucial to our efforts to get fentanyl and other illegal drugs off the streets, bring drug traffickers to justice, and tackle the fentanyl crisis. Increasing funding for HIDTA will get law enforcement agencies like ours the tools we need to keep our communities safe and apprehend drug dealers. I’m grateful for Rep. Harder’s work to expand HIDTA and his commitment to supporting our local law enforcement agencies,” said San Joaquin Sheriff Patrick Withrow.

“Drug overdoses claim far too many lives in this country every day, with fentanyl now being the leading cause of death for individuals aged 18 to 45 in the United States. Over 300 people die from drug overdoses daily. The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Directors Association appreciates Congressmen Harder and Moran’s efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and his support for providing critically needed resources to the HIDTA program. This bill not only reauthorizes the HIDTA program but significantly increases its resources to $400 million annually. Established by Congress in 1988, the HIDTA program facilitates collaboration among Federal, State, Local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies. Given the profound impact fentanyl has had on families, schools, and communities, this bill will be instrumental in enabling HIDTA to develop new and innovative strategies to tackle this crisis,” said Mike McDaniel, President of the National HIDTA Directors Association.

“The HIDTA Program plays an essential role in the nation’s drug control strategy and its success is due to its ability to seamlessly operate on local, regional, and national levels coordinating resources, training, and intelligence to combat drug crises across the country. This vital program must be reauthorized with additional flexibility and resources to fully take on the deadly fentanyl and opioid epidemic our communities are facing. NAPO stands with Congressmen Harder and Moran in support of the Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act and thank them for their leadership,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).

“The NNOAC commends Congressmen Harder and Moran for their efforts to put forward legislation that provides significant resource increases to the HIDTA Program by reauthorizing it at $400 million annually. The surge in drug poisoning deaths, especially from fentanyl shows that more needs to be done. The Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act will go a long way in assisting law enforcement with its efforts to detect and mitigate the threat of these dangerous substances. The HIDTA Program is the gold standard in bringing federal, state, and local resources together, and we are encouraged that this legislation will provide more to rid our communities of the scourge of illegal narcotics,” said Eric Brown, President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.
Source: Congressman Josh Harder