After Heitkamp Brought White House Drug Czar to State, Administration Takes Crucial Steps to Address Western ND Drug Problems

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced the federal government is taking critical steps to address the increase in drug related crime and activities in western North Dakota after Heitkamp brought the nation's top drug control official to the state in July and helped make him aware of the serious drug issues in the area.

At Heitkamp's invitation, White House Office of Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director R. Gil Kerlikowske visited North Dakota in July with the Senator, where he saw firsthand the drug issues in the western part of the state and pledged to help address them. Today, Kerlikowske offered three crucial steps the ONDCP is taking to help reduce drug abuse in the area and follow up on his visit, including making Williams County eligible to receive more federal funding to help rein in its drug problems.

"I brought Director Kerlikowske to North Dakota so he could see firsthand the challenges we are facing with drug abuse in the western part of the state," said Heitkamp. "It's clear the meetings we had in North Dakota helped the Administration understand the seriousness of these drug issues and push them to take action. This federal designation for Williams County is an important first step to helping stem the tide of drug abuse in the area. But I will continue working closely with folks on the ground to make sure we have the resources in place to tackle these ongoing problems and help those who need it to get support."

"It was extremely valuable for me to see first-hand the unique challenges that exist in the State," Kerlikowske wrote to Heitkamp. "I applaud the efforts that have been made by North Dakota law enforcement agencies, tribes, health care professionals, and educators to address the public health and criminal justice issues in the Bakken region. I agree that while the challenges are vast, progress can be achieved through collaborative efforts with state and local partners."

Kerlikowske specifically announced ONDCP will do the following to help address drug abuse in western North Dakota:

- He notified Heitkamp that Williams County will be officially designated as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program. The designation will open up the area significant to federal resources to help national, state, and local officials combat drug trafficking and abuse in the area.
- Kerlikowske also reported the Drug Enforcement Agency has assigned to Bismarck a special agent, who has already begun working with officials in the region on drug control efforts.
- Additionally, Kerlikowske advised Heitkamp that his office continues to work directly with the White House Domestic Policy Council to determine what other federal resources are available and can be used in the affected areas.

In July, Heitkamp and U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) hosted Kerlikowske in Bismarck and Billings, MT. The three were joined by many state and local officials to discuss the best ways ways to prevent drug abuse, improve treatment, and build healthier and safer communities across the growing region.

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