At the request of Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa. 1st), the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has designated Bucks County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
The HIDTA designation grants Bucks County access to additional federal resources for the purposes of enhancing coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement officials in drug prevention and control efforts.
On June 28, Toomey, Casey, and Fitzpatrick sent a letter to Director James Carroll encouraging the designation of Bucks County as a HIDTA.
“Every corner of our commonwealth is struggling with drug abuse, whether it be fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamines, or cocaine,” said Toomey. “Bucks County – with its proximity to numerous major ports and highways – has proven to be a significant center of illegal drug trafficking and distribution.”
“The opioid crisis continues to impact too many families across Pennsylvania,” said Casey. “I was proud to advocate in favor of this designation and I am hopeful that the region will now be better suited to address the opioid crisis.”
“Located near Philadelphia and various ports of entry, Bucks County has for too long been in the crosshairs of drug traffickers who show callous disregard for the wellbeing of our neighbors,” Fitzpatrick said. I applaud the decision of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the work of Director Jim Carroll, and the leadership of Senators Pat Toomey and Bob Casey which will help save lives here in Bucks County.”
ONDCP was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. The director is the principal advisor to the President on drug control issues.
