Kelly Pushes for More Federal Resources to Combat Fentanyl Crisis in Arizona
“This is an example of the long-lasting solutions that Republicans and Democrats can work on together to secure our border and prevent the flow of drugs into our communities.”
Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced bipartisan legislation to more forcefully go after criminals trafficking drugs and stop fentanyl from ravaging Arizona communities. As a border state, Arizona is in particular need of federal resources to address the fentanyl crisis. This bill would reauthorize the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program—which brings together federal and local law enforcement to stop drug trafficking—and provide them with greater resources to cover more activities to enhance fentanyl prevention and seizures.
In 2023, Arizona law enforcement agencies seized 123,666,772 fentanyl pills and 2,001 kilograms of fentanyl powder as a result of HIDTA initiatives and other counter drug efforts.
Cosponsors of the HIDTA Enhancement Act include Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Kelly, Capito, Blackburn, and Cortez Masto introduced this bill last year.
“Law enforcement agencies in Arizona are doing their best every single day to keep families safe from lethal drugs like fentanyl. We’re supporting them by boosting collaboration between federal and local law enforcement to crack down on drug trafficking,” said Kelly. “This is an example of the long-lasting solutions that Republicans and Democrats can work on together to secure our border and prevent the flow of drugs into our communities.”
“Every West Virginian has been impacted by the opioid crisis, and fentanyl being trafficked into our communities has made the problem exponentially worse,” said Capito. “The brave law enforcement officers of HIDTA are working every day to stop illicit fentanyl and other illegal drugs in their tracks. I am proud to introduce this legislation that will continue to support the HIDTA program’s mission, provide additional resources to stop the trafficking of fentanyl, and save lives across the country.”
“Communities in Tennessee are suffering because of the increased presence of fentanyl,” said Blackburn. “The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program assists law enforcement in combating fentanyl trafficking and targeting these criminals, and I fully support reauthorizing and expanding it.”
“The HIDTA program has been an incredible tool to help law enforcement agencies nationwide to combat drug trafficking and the fentanyl crisis,” said Cortez Masto. “I will continue working with my colleagues across the aisle to expand funding and support for HIDTA. We must ensure our communities have the resources they need to keep drugs off our streets and protect Nevada families.”
“The opioid epidemic is taking lives and tearing families apart. We need to continue to provide law enforcement with the tools they need to fight drug trafficking and the violent crime that comes along with it,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan bill will increase coordination among all levels of law enforcement across the country, including in Minnesota and at the border, so they can more effectively take fentanyl and other dangerous drugs off the street.”
See what Arizona enforcement officials and stakeholders are saying about the HIDTA Enhancement Act:
“Too many Arizonans have endured the heartbreak of losing a loved one to the fentanyl epidemic. In Maricopa County alone, we have lost over three lives a day on average to fentanyl. The HIDTA Enhancement Act of 2025 gives us a real chance to fight back by providing law enforcement with the tools they need to stop fentanyl from tearing apart our communities. This legislation is a game changer in the fight against fentanyl, and we cannot afford to wait. I’m grateful for Senator Kelly’s leadership and urge Congress to act swiftly to pass this bill. We must work together to keep our communities safe,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.
“The success of Arizona HIDTA operations, as shown by the sheer volume of dangerous drugs seized in collaboration with my office, is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to protect our communities from the cartels. HIDTA empowers Arizona law enforcement agencies to catch dangerous drug traffickers, disrupt organized crime, and stop the scourge of fentanyl. By reauthorizing HIDTA and increasing resources for our cross-agency international crime-fighting efforts, we can continue to stand united against those who abuse our border to profit from addiction and destruction. Thank you to Senator Kelly for championing this legislation that will give us additional resources to tackle this crisis,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes.
“Drug overdoses claim far too many lives in this country every day, with fentanyl now being the leading cause of death for individuals aged 18 to 45 in the United States. Over 250 people die from drug overdoses daily. The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Directors Association appreciates Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, Cortez Masto, and Klobuchar for their efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and their support for providing critically needed resources to the HIDTA program. This bill not only reauthorizes the HIDTA program but significantly increases its resources to $333 million annually. Established by Congress in 1988, the HIDTA program facilitates collaboration of over 2,800 Federal, State, Local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies. Given the profound impact fentanyl has had on families, schools, and communities, this bill will be instrumental in enabling HIDTA to develop new and innovative strategies to tackle this crisis,” said Dawn Mertz, AZ HIDTA Executive Director and Vice President of the National HIDTA Directors Association.
“The Arizona Narcotic Officers Association (ANOA) is 600 men and women law enforcement officers (federal, state, tribal, and local) who investigate drug cases in their communities that have profound effects on the rest of the nation. The seizures of millions of fentanyl often begins with the coordination and support from HIDTA centers throughout the country. The bipartisan HIDTA Enhancement Act of 2025 allows this life saving work to continue. ANOA is proud to support this legislation so our members can continue to protect lives in out communities,” said James Molesa, Board Advisor for the Arizona Narcotic Officers Association.
“HIDTA is an amazing partner for prevention, treatment and law enforcement in Arizona. For the past several years, MATFORCE and Arizona Substance Use Prevention Coalitions have worked with HIDTA to provide education and awareness to youth and caregivers on the fentanyl epidemic. This partnership has saved the lives of young people. In the last four years (2020 – 2024), fentanyl poisoning deaths of young people 17 years of age and younger has decreased over 80% in Arizona. MATFORCE also partners with AZ HIDTA to implement the Arizona Drug Summit each year,” said Merilee Fowler, Executive Director, MATFORCE.
“The NNOAC commends Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, Cortez Masto, and Klobuchar for their efforts to put forward legislation that provides significant resource increases to the HIDTA Program by reauthorizing it at $333 million annually. The surge in drug poisoning deaths, especially from fentanyl, shows that more needs to be done. The HIDTA Enhancement Act will go a long way in assisting law enforcement with its efforts to detect and mitigate the threat of these dangerous substances. The HIDTA Program is the gold standard in bringing federal, state, and local resources together, and we are encouraged that this legislation will provide more to rid our communities of the scourge of illegal narcotics,” said Eric Brown, President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.
“The Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents (DEAFNA) strongly supports the HIDTA Enhancement Act to strengthen the proven successful efforts of HIDTAs across the USA. 300 Americans are dying daily from a drug overdose, this bill sponsored by Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, Cortez Masto, and Klobuchar demonstrates determined unity to address these disturbing numbers. HIDTA’s commingled federal, state, local and tribal task forces are uniquely situated throughout the United States to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations determined to make a living on the backs of Americans dealing with drug addiction. The HIDTA Enhancement Act, authorizing the HIDTA program at $333 Million (annually), reflects determined efforts providing law enforcement agencies with necessary resources supporting drug law enforcement and prevention,” said Marshall Fisher, President, DEAFNA.
“Senator Kelly’s HIDTA Enhancement Act is a critical step in strengthening law enforcement’s ability to combat the fentanyl crisis and drug trafficking across our communities. The HIDTA program has long been a cornerstone of collaboration between federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies, enabling them to effectively disrupt criminal networks and reduce the flow of illicit drugs. By reauthorizing and increasing funding for HIDTA, while prioritizing the fight against fentanyl, this legislation ensures that law enforcement agencies have the resources needed to protect public safety. We strongly support this effort and urge Congress to pass this vital bill,” said Sheriff Kieran Donahue, Canyon County, ID, President, National Sheriffs’ Association.
“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) applauds Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, Cortez Masto, and Klobuchar for their ongoing efforts to combat the fentanyl epidemic and for advocating for essential resources to support our mission of protecting communities across the nation. The HIDTA Enhancement Act would provide law enforcement with critical tools to target drug traffickers and prevent fentanyl from entering our communities. We also appreciate that the bill would reauthorize the HIDTA program at $333 million annually — an essential increase. The devastating impact of fentanyl on our communities requires us to adopt new and effective strategies, and this bill will equip us to meet that challenge head-on. We stand ready to support all efforts to advance this important legislation,” said Megan Noland, Executive Director, MCSA.
Additional supporters of the bill include the Substance Awareness Coalition Leaders of Arizona (SACLAz), Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Association of Counties (NACO), National Association of Social Workers, National District Attorneys Association, National Association for Children Impacted by Addiction (NACoA), Addiction Policy Forum, All Rise, Community Action for Safe Teens, Drug Free America Foundation, Inc., and others.
Background:
The bipartisan HIDTA Enhancement Act specifically reauthorizes the program at $333,000,000 annually through 2030; increases authorization for competitive grants to $14,224,000 and expands use of funds to include enhanced fentanyl seizure and interdiction activities; directs collaboration between the Attorney General and the Executive Boards of each designated HIDTA; and requires ONDCP to provide a report within the annual National Drug Control Strategy describing the use of HIDTA funds to investigate fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances.
Arizona HIDTA was established in 1990 and includes the designated counties of Cochise, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma. The program coordinates and supports the efforts of 704 full-time and 33 part-time participants from 88 federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. It also employs a balanced approach between supply reduction and demand reduction with regard to enforcement, prevention, and treatment.
Click here to see bill text.
