Statement from Governor Hassan on House Passage of Bill to Support Local Law Enforcement on Opioid Crisis

Press Release

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement today after the New Hampshire House of Representatives' bipartisan vote to pass Senate Bill 485, which was part of the comprehensive package of legislation the Governor proposed last November and establishes a state grant program to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in addressing the opioid crisis and making an appropriation therefor:

"With the heroin and opioid crisis devastating families, communities and businesses across the state, it is critical that we continue to support our law enforcement officers and first responders who are on the front lines, and this grant program will help us do just that."

Last October, Governor Hassan joined Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard, Department of Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes, Attorney General Joe Foster, Drug Enforcement Agency Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jon DeLena and Manchester officials to announce a grant to support local law enforcement in high-risk communities like Manchester in combating the heroin and opioid crisis.

The $90,000 grant allowed the New Hampshire State Police to provide more than 1,200 additional hours of manpower to assist in efforts like the Manchester "Operation Granite Hammer," the department's initiative to rid the city of street-level dealers and seize illicit drugs.

"Under Chief Willard's leadership with Operation Granite Hammer in Manchester, we have seen great success with this initiative, and expanding this effort across the state will assist local law enforcement in the state's hardest hit communities in their ongoing efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis."

"I hope that the Senate and House can quickly agree on a final version of this bill so that I can sign it into law, but at the same time, we know that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem and we must remain focused in our efforts to strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery efforts."

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