Three Pennsylvania counties added to drug-trafficking program

Pennsylvania’s Allegheny, Beaver, and Washington counties were designated this week as part of the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program.

Congress created HIDTA under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. It was designed to assist law enforcement agencies operating in areas considered critical drug-trafficking regions.

ONDCP designation enables areas to receive federal resources for the coordination and development of drug control efforts. It also allows local law agencies to benefit from HIDTA initiatives.

“The opioid crisis continues to impact too many families across Pennsylvania,” Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) said. “That’s why I’m pleased that ONDCP has taken a step forward in designating these counties as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program. I was proud to advocate in favor of this designation, including raising this issue directly with the Acting Director of ONDCP earlier this year. I am hopeful that the region will now be better suited to address the opioid crisis, and I will continue to push for improved tools and resources as we address the epidemic together.”

Southwestern Pennsylvania is one of the areas hit hardest by the drug and opioid crisis, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said.