MONTICELLO, NY — A little over a year ago, standing outside the Catholic Charities building on a cold April day, Sen. Chuck Schumer emphasized the importance of getting Sullivan County designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). 

The HIDTA program, a federal initiative founded in 1988, provides federal funding and law enforcement connections to counties with significant drug-trafficking issues. 

Sullivan County has some of the highest opioid overdose rates in New York, and would seem to be a natural fit for the HIDTA program. But Sullivan had HIDTA applications denied in 2021 and in 2022, leaving it the only county in the Hudson Valley outside the program. 

On July 6, Schumer returned to Sullivan County in warmer weather and with better news: the county’s latest HIDTA application was successful. 

“It’s a lot sunnier here today—a lot sunnier—and that’s because we’ve gotten the designation... It was freezing [on that day, but] dozens of you showed up determined, ready to work for a brighter future for this county, and even on that cold day, the unwavering commitment of the people behind me ignited a fire within me and strenghtened my resolve to fight tooth and nail for this HIDTA designation,” said Schumer.

What are HIDTA’s benefits?

Sullivan County will have access to a wide range of federal resources as part of the HIDTA program. 

“The HIDTA designation is not just a title; it’s a lifeline,” said Schumer. “It equips this county with the resources and intelligence in where the drug traffickers are and where the drugs are coming from, and what is in those drugs.”

The program can connect Sullivan’s law enforcement with federal partners, unlocking resources up to and including additional law enforcement boots on the ground. 

It also provides a flexible source of funding for the types of programs Sullivan needs the most, he continued. “If Sullivan County thinks they have a particular need in personnel, in prosecution, in healthcare, in treatment, HIDTA can help, and will.”

HIDTA has deep pockets from which to fund these programs. According to Schumer, it received $302 million in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations bill. And it boasts successes to back up that level of spending, according to Dr. Raul Gupta, director for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the agency that administers HIDTA. 

“Just last year, HIDTA program seized 26,000 points of fentanyl—26,000 pounds—and it denied drug trafficers $22 billion in profits—with a ‘B’. Now every dollar that taxpayers invest in HIDTA, you get $83 in return—in my view, that’s the best return on investment.”

Why did Sullivan’s application struggle?

The last time Sullivan applied for the HIDTA designation, it was denied due to technical difficulties with the application. The process is competitive, and Sullivan as a small, rural county couldn’t put together a stand-out application. 

“We face a chicken-and-egg problem here in Sullivan, [or] we did,” said Schumer. “Without the HIDTA designation, we lack the resources and expertise to apply.”

Schumer organized a meeting on March 10, that brought Sullivan’s law enforcement and public health officials in contact with state and federal HIDTA representatives. They worked together to ensure Sullivan’s application was good as it could be. “We all rolled up our sleeves and worked side by side,” said Chauncy Parker, head of the NY/NJ HIDTA. “I think you’re a model not just for the state—you’re a model for the country.”

How did local representatives react?

Members of Sullivan’s law enforcement, public health and public representatives applauded the designation. 

“Sullivan County is now a safer place,” said Wendy Brown, former co-chair of the Sullivan County Drug Task Force. “Our children are safer, our families are safer and our streets will be safer. And as the senator and Dr. Gupta said, the message is out; the gloves are coming off.”

“This HIDTA designation is a game changer for Sullivan County… [It] will give us the ability, equipment and finances to move forward and make Sullivan County a safer place for our citizens,” said Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff. 

“Sullivan County is a focal point for the manufacturing, importation and transportation of deadly narcotics,” said Sullivan County Acting District Attorney Brian Conaty. “For this reason we must bring every resource to bear while waging this war. I am again thankful for Dr. Gupta and all those who supported this effort for recognizing the need to unlock federal resources to combat the opioid epidemic in Sullivan County.”

“This is a turning point for Sullivan County,” said Rep. Marc Molinaro in a written press release. “The designation will unlock critical federal resources to combat drug trafficking, expand treatment options for those suffering with addiction, and ultimately, save lives.”