Congresswoman Schrier Celebrates Federal Funding to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

WASHINGTON, DC – The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Dr. Rahul Gupta recently announced millions in federal funding for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, including over $5 million to address this crisis in Washington State. Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) has long pushed for legislation in Congress to address drug trafficking and the deadly effects of the fentanyl epidemic and held a back-to-school fentanyl town hall with Dr. Gupta for students and parents. 

The HIDTA Program supports law enforcement agencies in their work to combat drug trafficking in critical locations. As a part of this funding, the Northwest HIDTA Region, which is based completely in Washington State, will receive $5,031,349 from the federal government. 

"In town halls and meetings across the 8th District, I hear from constituents and law enforcement officers just how deeply concerned they are about fentanyl overdoses, trafficking, and associated crime,” said Rep. Schrier. “As a pediatrician, I’m particularly worried about accidental overdoses in teens. This is why I’ve held town halls focused on the fentanyl crisis, including one with Dr. Gupta, and it is why I’ve supported legislation to crack down on fentanyl distribution and expand treatment. I’m very happy to see this federal funding coming to Washington to support our local law enforcement as they address this crisis."