Washington (August 17, 2015) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement on the new White House heroin response strategy and New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funding. Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli today announced $13.4 million in funding for HIDTA across the country. In addition to funding for a Heroin Response Strategy, the New England HIDTA also will receive $265,000 to advance a range of drug use prevention initiatives and to support HIDTA operations.

“This federal funding comes at a critical time in Massachusetts and New England’s effort to tame this scourge of heroin and prescription drug abuse. Heroin overdoses are taking lives at an unprecedented rate," said Senator Markey. "Stemming this tide will require a comprehensive strategy that teams public health, science, medicine, and law enforcement on the federal, state and local levels to stop addiction before it takes hold and secure treatment when and where its needed most. I applaud the Obama administration and Director Botticelli for their leadership and commitment to combating this epidemic.”

More information on Senator Markey’s education initiatives on the prescription drug and heroin crisis can be found HERE. More information on his prevention efforts can be found HERE. More information Senator Markey’s effort to expand treatment for opioid addiction can be found HERE.

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