Senators Collins, King Announce Nearly $400,000 in Federal Funding to Fight Heroin Epidemic

Press Release

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has awarded $389,160 in grant funding to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency at Augusta as part of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) 2015 Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF).

"Addiction to heroin and prescription opioids has become a tragic epidemic that continues to have a devastating impact on public health and safety in Maine and across this country. Along with education and treatment, law enforcement is an essential component of a comprehensive solution to this crisis," said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. "It is imperative that we provide our law enforcement officials with the resources they need to investigate the illegal trafficking of these highly addictive and harmful substances, and this investment signifies a strong commitment to the men and women who are fighting to protect our families and keep our communities safe."

The FY 2015 COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) is designed to advance public safety by providing funds to investigate illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin or unlawful distribution of prescriptive opioids, or unlawful heroin and prescription opioid traffickers through statewide collaboration.

Source