Senator McConnell Announces Madison County's Inclusion into National Anti-Drug Program

Press Release

During an event in Richmond, Kentucky, U. S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced that Madison County is now included in the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. A HIDTA designation provides agencies with coordination, equipment, technology, and additional resources to combat drug production and trafficking. Earlier this year, Senator McConnell spoke directly with the Acting Drug Czar Michael Botticelli to advocate on behalf of Madison County's HIDTA designation.

At the event, Senator McConnell said he believes Madison County's HIDTA designation "will be a significant moment in this community's ongoing fight against those who seek to benefit from the misery wrought by illegal drug use."

Senator McConnell's prepared remarks are below:

"I'm pleased to be in Richmond today to mark what I hope and believe will be a significant moment in this community's ongoing fight against those who seek to benefit from the misery wrought by illegal drug use. I want to thank HIDTA Executive Director Frank Rapier for his leadership. I also want to thank our host, Sheriff Mike Coyle.

"We are glad today to announce that Madison County has been included in the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, or "HIDTA" program.

"Far from just another federal government acronym, the HIDTA model is one that works. It couples federal law-enforcement personnel with state and local task forces, and supplies needed training and technology to this fight. That is why when Kentucky cops and prosecutors sought my assistance in getting Madison County included in the HIDTA program, I was all in.

"As each officer in this room can unfortunately attest, Madison County has seen a significant increase in drug-related crime over the last few years. As is the case in other Appalachia HIDTA counties, methamphetamines, prescription drug abuse, and heroin pose a significant threat to Kentucky law enforcement and those they are sworn to protect.

"Madison County is only a few miles from Lexington in Fayette County, the Commonwealth's second-largest city and a central location for the drug trade. Fayette County connects with I-75 and I-64. These are main travel routes for drugs coming into and out of the community.

"Tragically, this wonderful and vibrant community has therefore become a haven for drug trafficking. The county saw a dramatic rise in methamphetamine production, with a reported 540 percent increase in meth labs from 2010 to 2012. The threat continues to be high.

"The violent crime rate in Madison County is more than triple the state average and close to double the national average. Property crimes have increased. Prescription drug importation and distribution have reached a level never before experienced within this region.

"In September of 2013, a heroin overdose led to the death of an Eastern Kentucky University student. Unfortunately, this is far from the only overdose death in the area. More shockingly, in March of 2014, the director of a day care center was arrested on heroin trafficking charges. Let me repeat that: this March, the director of a day care center was arrested on heroin trafficking charges.

"At the same time that drugs are ravaging this region, we face an unprecedented debt and spending challenge in Washington. Across the full spectrum of government, we must be prepared to do more with less. That is why I have invested so much time working with the nation's drug czar, Michael Botticelli, just as I did with his predecessor.

"A few years ago, the former Drug Czar accepted my invitation to visit Kentucky and see firsthand the scope of our problem, and to explore how best to leverage every federal dollar we spend to maximize our impact. This effort is what eventually led to Madison County being included in the HIDTA program, as well as Nelson County far to the west.

"Drugs are no respecter of borders or county lines. Given the force multiplier effect that inclusion in HIDTA will bring to Kentucky law enforcement and those they serve and protect, my hope is the decision we're celebrating today will have positive ripple effects not only throughout the county but across the Commonwealth.

"To protect families across this county, we must do all we can to combat the scourge of illicit drug use. The lives of our fellow Kentuckians and the future of our neighborhoods and communities are at stake.

"Today with the inclusion of Madison County in the Appalachia HIDTA program, I believe we are making a positive difference. Thank you."

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