MARTINSBURG – Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02), along with White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Jim Carroll (President Trump’s “Drug Czar”), led a roundtable discussion with regional law enforcement and local officials at the Berkeley County Recovery Resource Center in Martinsburg. Congressman Mooney and Director Carroll reported that the Berkeley Day Report Center, a treatment alternative to incarceration for nonviolent offenders whose substance abuse problems have led to legal involvement, will receive almost $125,000 in discretionary funding for this year. This is a part of the White House’s recent announcement of $15.9 million in discretionary funding for its High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program.
“I have seen firsthand how important combating illegal drug trafficking and helping those suffering from substance use disorder is to President Trump. It’s a commitment shared by Congressman Mooney and the people of West Virginia ravaged by the opioid epidemic. Funding for HIDTA programs already stands at record highs thanks to the Trump Administration; the recent announcement of nearly $16 million in discretionary funds awarded to HIDTA programs across the country furthers President Trump’s commitment to the brave men and women of law enforcement, and underscores the Administration’s dedication to ensuring those seeking to overcome addiction are connected with life-saving treatment. It was an honor to join Congressman Mooney as well as the federal and local officials of West Virginia in attendance at today’s event sharing a unified message of help and healing,” said ONDCP Director Jim Carroll.
“I thank President Trump and ONDCP Director Jim Carroll, President Trump’s ‘Drug Czar’, for their leadership and commitment in combatting the opioid epidemic not only here in West Virginia but also nationwide. I’m glad funds have been directed towards the Berkeley Day Report Center through the High Intensity Drug Traffic Areas Program. We have to continue do everything we can to fight back against the opioid epidemic, and I’m glad to be a part of the coordinated and united effort required at the federal, state and local levels. Also integral in our effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate the supply and abuse of illegal drugs in high drug trafficking areas are our brave police officers, who show constant dedication to strategic operations for effective enforcement in our communities each day,” said Congressman Alex X. Mooney.
Congressman Mooney was instrumental in the effort to designate Jefferson County a HITDA county and is currently advocating for Randolph County to receive a similar designation.
The HIDTA Program was created by Congress to provide assistance to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be high drug trafficking areas of the U.S. The purpose of the HIDTA Program is to reduce drug trafficking and illegal production in the U.S. through facilitating cooperation and information sharing among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, providing reliable intelligence for effective enforcement strategies and operations, and supporting coordinated law enforcement strategies which maximize use of resources to reduce the supply of illegal drugs.
Congressman Mooney was also joined by the following individuals: Dan Dulyea, Vice President, Berkeley County Council; Tim Czaja, Director, Berkeley County Day Report Center; Tom Carr, Director, Washington/Baltimore HIDTA; David Breeden, Berkeley County Day Report Center Participant; Berkeley County Day Report Center Participant; Crystal Peterson, and Berkeley County Day Report Center Peer Recovery Coach. Representatives from Senator Capito and Senator Manchin’s offices also participated in the roundtable.
All roundtable participants visited the Berkeley Day Report Center.
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