Bluegrass Times

SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today Bullitt County will be chosen for inclusion into the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. Operating under the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the HIDTA program provides federal support to law enforcement agencies in designated counties with coordination, equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug production and trafficking. 

In April, Senator McConnell contacted the ONDCP Director, commonly known as the Drug Czar, to support Bullitt County’s application. As a result of Senator McConnell’s consistent advocacy, 38 counties in the Commonwealth have the HIDTA designation, and over half of all Kentuckians live in a HIDTA county.

“Addiction and substance abuse continue to take a deadly toll on Kentuckians, and the influx of meth, cocaine, and opioids has only intensified this struggle. Thankfully, we have dedicated law enforcement leaders in Kentucky committed to cutting off the flow of illicit substances at its source and reducing violence associated with drug trafficking,” said Senator McConnell. “I was proud to help Bullitt County secure this important and long-sought-after designation. The Appalachia HIDTA program will help equip local law enforcement with the tools they need to combat Kentucky’s substance abuse crisis head-on.”

“Securing a HIDTA designation has been a top priority in Bullitt County for years, and the uptick in illegal drugs infiltrating our community has further proven this need,” said Bullitt County Judge/Executive Jerry Summers. “Senator McConnell has been a key ally in our fight against drug trafficking, and his help securing this recognition has been crucial. Bullitt County will be better equipped to tackle this region’s substance abuse epidemic and keep our families safe from illegal drugs.”  

“Today’s encouraging news is an important step toward combatting substance abuse addiction and drug-related violence in Bullitt County. It took the concerted efforts of leaders across all levels to achieve this HIDTA designation, and we are particularly thankful for Senator McConnell's unwavering support throughout the process. We look forward to using these federal resources to strengthen our law enforcement capabilities so we can curb the flow of drugs into the Commonwealth and save lives,” said Bullitt County Sheriff Walt Sholar.

Senator McConnell has hosted multiple Drug Czars from both Republican and Democratic administrations to hear from Kentuckians about their experiences and innovative work combating the epidemic of substance abuse.

The Senator has a long track record of working with local, state, and federal partners to deliver federal funding and support Kentucky’s prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts. As Senate Republican Leader and a Senior Member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator McConnell has leveraged his leadership position to secure critical federal funding to address Kentucky’s substance abuse crisis.

Senator McConnell also fought for the expansion of Appalachia HIDTA to hard-hit counties across the state, including Jefferson County in 2009, Hardin County in 2012, Nelson and Madison Counties in 2014, Montgomery and Powell Counties in 2018, Boyd County in 2019, Clark, Logan and Simpson Counties in 2020, and Daviess County in 2021. He also helped secure the inclusion of Boone, Campbell and Kenton Counties in the Ohio HIDTA in 2016. 

Original source can be found here.