Kelly, Capito, Blackburn, and Cortez Masto Introduce Legislation to Combat Fentanyl Crisis
This week, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), alongside Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the HIDTA Enhancement Act of 2024, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and expand the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. This will combat the nation’s fentanyl crisis by providing law enforcement with additional resources to target drug traffickers and prevent fentanyl and other drugs from flooding American communities.
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in the White House, supports collaboration between federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies to reduce drug trafficking and misuse. There are 33 regional HIDTAs across the U.S., covering counties in all 50 states. HIDTA helps law enforcement share information, coordinate efforts, and pursue the most significant drug threats. In 2022 alone, HIDTAs seized an estimated $22 billion in illicit drugs and cash. Kelly’s bill reauthorizes the HIDTA program at $333 million annually through 2030, increasing support for law enforcement efforts to combat drug use and trafficking.
“For too many years, fentanyl traffickers have inflicted immeasurable harm on our communities,” said Kelly. “The transnational scale and evolving nature of these criminal networks mean we need coordinated, long-term law enforcement strategies to confront this deadly crisis. This legislation will give law enforcement additional resources to crack down on fentanyl traffickers and keep this dangerous drug out of 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.”
“The HIDTA program does incredible work in communities across Nevada,” said Cortez Masto. “I’m working in a bipartisan way to increase funding and support for HIDTA’s efforts to reduce overdoses and keep drugs off our streets. Keeping families safe is my priority.”
“The opioid epidemic is wreaking havoc across our communities, and the HIDTA program is essential to giving federal, state, and local law enforcement the ability to coordinate in their efforts to combat this scourge in our country,” said Blackburn. “The bipartisan HIDTA Enhancement Act would ensure that law enforcement can better target the criminals trafficking deadly drugs—including fentanyl—into American cities.”
Click here to read the bill text. Click here for a summary.
See what leaders and stakeholders are saying about the HIDTA Enhancement Act of 2024
“For decades, the Arizona HIDTA has been an effective and reliable partner in combating drug trafficking throughout the state, but more help is needed. By reauthorizing the HIDTA program at an increased funding level and expanding its scope to include enhanced fentanyl seizure and interdiction activities, this legislation will be a game changer in our mission to curb the opioid epidemic and stop the flow of fentanyl into our communities. I remain committed to working with our federal partners to make sure Arizona is able to access additional support that will help us secure our border and keep our communities safe. I commend Senator Kelly for his leadership on this issue and urge Congress to pass this legislation swiftly,” said Arizona Governor, Katie Hobbs.
“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 300 people die from drug overdoses daily. The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Directors Association appreciates Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, and Cortez Masto 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 among 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 Director and Vice President of the National HIDTA Directors Association.
“The NNOAC commends Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, and Cortez Masto 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 and Cortez Masto demonstrates determined unity to address these disturbing numbers. HIDTA’s multi-jurisdictional 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 of DEAFNA.
“The HIDTA Program plays an essential role in the nation’s drug control strategy and its success is due to its ability to seamlessly operate on local, regional, and national levels coordinating resources, training, and intelligence to combat drug crises across the country. This vital program must be reauthorized with additional flexibility and resources to fully take on the deadly fentanyl and opioid epidemic our communities are facing. NAPO stands with Senators Kelly, Capito, Blackburn, and Cortez Masto in support of the HIDTA Enhancement Act and thanks them for their leadership,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).
“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) applauds Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, and Cortez Masto 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.
“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 – 2023), fentanyl poisoning deaths of young people 17 years of age and younger has decreased 54% in Arizona. MATFORCE also partners with AZ HIDTA to implement the Arizona Drug Summit each year,” said Merilee Fowler, Executive Director of MATFORCE.
“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 300 people die from drug overdoses daily. The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Directors Association appreciates Senator Capito’s efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and her support for providing critically needed resources to the HIDTA program. This bill reauthorizing the HIDTA program is extremely important as it will allow the program to continue to combat the drug crisis in West Virginia, all of Appalachia, and the entire nation. Established by Congress in 1988, the HIDTA program facilitates collaboration among 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 Vic Brown, Executive Director for Appalachia HIDTA.
“The proliferation of drug trafficking and subsequent addiction continues to impact our communities,” said Jeff Beeson, Executive Director of the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA. “Senator Capito’s leadership to ensure that the HIDTA program has the resources necessary to continue to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations is critical and the HIDTA Enhancement Act will continue to support our efforts throughout West Virginia and the nation.”
“Senator Cortez Masto has always been a prominent supporter of the HIDTA Program,” said Keith Carter, Director of Nevada HIDTA. “The program supports collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement, providing much-needed funding to enhance technology, analytical support, overdose reduction efforts, and other critical programs, including prevention and collaborations with public health. This important bill ensures that the vital work of the HIDTA initiatives can continue and further enhance the program’s mission to serve the citizens of Nevada.”
Additional supporters of the bill include the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Counties (NACo), National District Attorneys Association, American Probation and Parole Association, Treatment Communities of America, WestCare, International Community Justice Association, and Treatment Communities of America and others.
