Harrison and Monongalia Counties receive High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area designation

Harrison and Monongalia Counties are among 20 counties nationwide that have been designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area designation will enable both counties to receive federal resources to further the coordination and development of drug control efforts among federal, state and local law enforcement officials. It also will allow local agencies to benefit from ongoing HIDTA-coordinated initiatives working to reduce drug use and its consequences across the United States.

On July 20, 2016, Senators Manchin and Capito, Representatives McKinley, Evan Jenkins and Alex Mooney sent a letter to Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli encouraging the designation of these counties as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area counties.

“The health and safety of our West Virginia families and communities depends upon ending the drug abuse epidemic,” Senator Manchin said. “To put a stop to this epidemic, it is absolutely critical that our local law enforcement officials and drug task forces have the resources they need to combat the influx of drugs coming into our state. It has been one of my top priorities to address our state’s drug abuse crisis, and I am very pleased to have worked with Director Botticelli to ensure that Monongalia County and other high risk communities across West Virginia get the resources they need to fight this epidemic.”

“We must embrace and intensify prevention strategies in order to have an impact on the drug epidemic that is devastating far too many families. Programs like HIDTA help coordinate initiatives that reduce drug use and abuse. This is why I supported funding for HIDTA as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and why I have worked with Director Botticelli and my colleagues to advocate for this crucial designation for Monongalia County. This announcement is encouraging news for our state,” said Senator Capito.

“Combating drug abuse and addiction is an issue we take very seriously in West Virginia. Since 2011, we have successfully added designations in 6 counties in the First District and they are making a difference in our fight against drugs,” said Congressman McKinley. “These new resources will help federal, local, and state officials coordinate their efforts and share information that will ultimately protect West Virginia families from the dangers that drugs present.”

The following counties also have a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area designation: Berkeley, Boone, Brooke, Cabell, Hancock, Jefferson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Marshall, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Ohio, Putnam, Raleigh, Wayne and Wyoming.