MONTICELLO- Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer was in Monticello on Thursday to announce that the region would be receiving a major boost in crime fighting resources following the House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) decision to heed Schumer’s calls and grant Sullivan County’s request to be designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
For years, despite having the highest overdose death rate, per capita, in the state with 218 overdose incidents and 24 fatalities in 2022 alone, Sullivan County had remained the only Hudson Valley County Not in the HIDTA Zone. The lack of this designation means the county had lacked access to federal resources that could aid in the fight against the overdose epidemic and pursuing drug traffickers.
“This is going to help save lives and improve community safety here in Sullivan County. Sullivan County and the Hudson Valley have been hit hard by the drug overdose epidemic. Year after year, I stood with local law enforcement and community members and promised I would not stop fighting until I delivered this critical HIDTA designation and the invaluable federal coordination and resources that come with it. Today, I am proud to say that a promise made is now a promise kept,” said Senator Schumer.
Sullivan County officials, including the acting District Attorney, state and county representatives, and Sheriff Mike Schiff joined Schumer for the announcement. “The HIDTA designation is a crucial milestone for Sullivan County. With federal resources and enhanced collaboration, we will combat the opioid crisis, dismantle drug networks, and provide justice for victims, said Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff.
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply