By Mark Maynard
Kentucky Today
A Kentucky county is one of only 13 nationwide to receive new High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program.
Boyd County is a participant of the federal program that provides law enforcement agencies in designated counties with coordination, equipment, technology and additional resources to combat drug production and trafficking.
An overwhelming number of drug-related offenses driven primarily by the influx of illicit methamphetamines, fentanyl, prescription drugs, cocaine, and heroin has taken a toll on Boyd County.
“Expanding the HIDTA program in Kentucky is a top priority of mine because of its remarkable record of success,” Sen. Mitch McConnell said. “The enhanced coordination and federal assistance that come with the designation will help keep Boyd County families safe.”
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director James Carroll Jr. visited Kentucky at McConnell’s request and saw the devastation that comes with the drug epidemic.
“When Director Carroll accepted my invitation to visit Kentucky earlier this year, he had the opportunity to meet with our law enforcement officers and see how our Commonwealth is at the forefront of the national response to this crisis,” McConnell said.
Local law enforcement in Boyd County was appreciative of gaining the important designation.
“I want to personally thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell for his assistance in helping the HIDTA designation become a reality for us,” Boyd County Sheriff Bobby Jack Woods said. “This HIDTA designation . . .will make a major impact toward stopping illegal drugs in our region of Kentucky.”
Ashland Police Chief Todd Kelley echoed Woods’ comments.
“Senator McConnell continues to support Kentucky law enforcement officers as we combat substance abuse and work to keep our communities safe,” he said
The HIDTA announcement follows recent news that drug overdose deaths in Kentucky fell by nearly 15 percent in 2018 — the largest drop in the state in more than a decade.
Programs like HIDTA are part of the comprehensive response between local, state and the federal government and played a role in the significant decline in overdose deaths.
McConnell has a history of working closely with federal, state and local medical authorities, treatment centers and law-enforcement offices to secure federal resources to help fight opioid and substance abuse in Kentucky.
Nearly half of all Kentuckians currently live in a HIDTA county through McConnell’s advocacy.
Now this senator cares about Kentuckians? Yes, it’s an election year. He is an embarrassment to our state and our values. Wake Up Kentucky, we all deserve better.
Wendell Ford was a better Senator and, more importantly. a better person for the state. We need a better representative of who we are and who we wish to be and this current senator is not it. He never has been and never will be. I’m appalled he is getting credit for a solution to a problem he helped create.