Heitkamp: Additional Western ND Special Prosecutor Step in Right Direction, Still Need More Resources

Press Release

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today welcomed the news that a special prosecutor will be placed in western North Dakota to help fight drug-related crimes in our state's oil patch.

The news is the latest step taken by the Administration to combat drug abuse and crime in western North Dakota since Heitkamp brought these issues to the attention of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) last year.

"In western North Dakota, we have seen a sharp increase in drug abuse and that's hurting not only the users, but also their families and communities. That's why I brought Director Kerlikowske to North Dakota last year to help him and the Administration understand the severity of the issues we are facing," said Heitkamp. "The addition of a special prosecutor is a step in the right direction, but we need to continue advocating for more resources. We must tackle the increase in drug and other criminal activity head on to make sure North Dakota citizens and families remain safe in their homes and communities."

In November, Heitkamp announced that the ONDCP named Williams County a High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), making it eligible for federal funds. That announcement came after Heitkamp brought ONDCP Director R. Gil Kerlikowske to North Dakota to hear from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and other officials about the major increase in drug crimes occurring in the oil patch and spreading to other areas of the state.

"It was extremely valuable for me to see first-hand the unique challenges that exist in the State," Kerlikowske wrote to Heitkamp when informing her of the HIDTA designation. "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."

At Heitkamp's invitation, 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. In November, Kerlikowske reached out to Heitkamp and 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.

Kerlikowske informed Heitkamp that 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 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.
He 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, local, and tribal 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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