BOSTON – The New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) was recognized on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, with the National HIDTA of the Year Award for its outstanding work in reducing drug trafficking in the region.
“The New England HIDTA has been instrumental in disrupting the flow of dangerous drugs in the region,” said Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb. “Their work is unquestionably demanding, dangerous and at times thankless, but through their dogged determination communities across New England are safer places for children and families to call home. I hope this award validates their hard work and reaffirms their commitment in these challenging times. Congratulations to the leadership and each member of the NEHIDTA team.”
“New England HIDTA is both honored and humbled to be recognized as HIDTA of the year for 2016,” said Jay Fallon, Executive Director of New England HIDTA. “This award serves to honor the efforts of all entities affiliated with the HIDTA Program. We will continue to address the burgeoning drug threat in New England holistically with our partners in law enforcement, treatment, prevention and education.”
In 2015, the New England HIDTA disrupted or dismantled 170 drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and 19 money laundering organizations (MLOs). This represents 6% of all DTOs and 10% of all MLOs disrupted or dismantled nationwide. In addition, in 2015, the New England HIDTA trained more than 3,400 students, supported more than 12,000 de-conflictions, and provided analytical support to nearly 400 cases.
The New England HIDTA has also championed innovative and progressive approaches to law enforcement and counterdrug policy. The HIDTA’s SCOPE of Pain initiative, conducted in collaboration with Boston University School of Medicine, has become a model for public health and public safety partnerships to combat the opioid epidemic. The New England HIDTA also is recognized as one of the founding members of the HIDTA Heroin Response Strategy, which now encompasses eight regional HIDTAs and 20 states.
The New England HIDTA and its leadership have also been reliable and trusted partners to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and to the entire National HIDTA Program. They frequently host events in collaboration with ONDCP leadership and support the implementation of the National Drug Control Strategy priorities throughout the New England region.
The HIDTA program, created by Congress through the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, facilitates cooperation and intelligence sharing between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States. There are currently 28 HIDTAs, which include approximately 16% of all counties in the United States and 60% of the U.S. population. The New England HIDTA was designated in 1999 to eliminate DTOs and improve efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement. For more information on the New England HIDTA, visit their website.