NH Delegation Announces $1.4M to Support Drug Enforcement Efforts

Statement

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), along with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) that New Hampshire will receive $1,402,083 in federal funds through the Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) program. Specifically, the funding was awarded to the New Hampshire Department of Justice and will strengthen New Hampshire law enforcement's ability to locate and investigate illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil, or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

"It's welcome news that the New Hampshire Department of Justice will receive these funds to support a robust and sustained response to the ongoing substance abuse crisis," said Representative Pappas. "Just as I've fought for increased funding for recovery services, ensuring our law enforcement officers have the resources they need to halt the distribution of opioids has been a priority of mine in Congress. I'll keep fighting to ensure our communities have the resources they need to comprehensively address this crisis moving forward."

"In 2020, the overwhelming majority of total drug overdose deaths in New Hampshire were due to opioids like fentanyl or opioids combined with other drugs. This is a crisis and our law enforcement agencies should have access to the resources and support they need to end the flow of these lethal substances to our communities," said Senator Shaheen. "I'm very pleased this federal funding has been awarded, which will bolster the State's ability, in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies, to identify and destroy criminal opioid distribution networks. Holding those who are continuing and exacerbating the substance use disorder crisis in our communities to account is a key part of our strategy to turn the tide on this crisis, and these federal dollars will be put to good use to achieve that goal. I will continue to fight for anti-heroin and other substance use disorder response funding for New Hampshire so we can finally end this epidemic once and for all."

"As Granite State communities continue to feel the devastating impacts of the substance misuse crisis, we must crack down on the illicit activities that fuel it," said Senator Hassan. "I am glad to announce this federal grant to help New Hampshire's law enforcement agencies investigate illegal drug trafficking, and I will continue working to stem the flow of dangerous drugs into our communities."

"The addiction and substance misuse crisis here in New Hampshire and across the country has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is essential we ensure law enforcement has the resources needed to hold illicit distributors accountable and get dangerous drugs out of circulation," said Representative Kuster, founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. "In Congress, on the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee and my Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, I'm working across the aisle to expand access to care, stop the cycle of addiction, and help save lives. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this federal funding here in New Hampshire, and will continue working to end the addiction epidemic."

"We are incredibly pleased and honored to have been chosen as one of thirteen states to receive this additional funding. These resources are critical to New Hampshire's law enforcement community as we continue our efforts to combat the opioid crisis, and will allow for the implementation of a multi-disciplinary partnership among the New Hampshire Information and Analysis Center, the Attorney General's Drug Task Force, and the New Hampshire State Police. We are committed to working and coordinating with federal, state, and local law enforcement entities to maximize the impact and effectiveness of these efforts. On behalf of the New Hampshire Department of Justice and the entire New Hampshire law enforcement community, I would like to thank Senator Jeanne Shaheen for her efforts and assistance with procuring these funds. I would also like to thank our Grants Management Unit for their work on preparing our grant application," said John M. Formella, Attorney General of the State of New Hampshire.