Lawmakers want drug-war funding for North Country

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Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. John McHugh, left to right. (Photos Provided)

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May 17, 2009

By JOE LOTEMPLIO The Press Republican Sun May 17, 2009, 09:28 PM EDT

PLATTSBURGH — As battling the illegal drug trade continues to be a challenge for North Country law-enforcement officers, federal representatives are searching for some help.

A push is on by U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-Greenport) and Congressman John McHugh (R-Pierrepont Manor) to get Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties included in a federal program.

The program, New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), is designed to disrupt the illegal drug trade by assisting federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies by providing funds, equipment and support.

The three federal lawmakers recently sent a letter to new Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske and Attorney General Eric Holder urging them to designate the four North Country counties as part of the program.

“This has been a long, tough fight, but I am confident that with a new drug czar and a new administration, we can finally cut through the red tape and get this application approved,” Schumer said.

“Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties work around the clock to combat the drug-smuggling pipeline that runs right through them, but they can only do so much without these critical resources.”

Gillibrand said there is nothing more important than the safety of local communities.

“Getting drugs off our streets is a top priority. With the right leadership and priorities, I am confident we can put the resources we need on the ground to keep Northern New York communities safe and drug free.”

McHugh said he will gladly work with Schumer and Gillibrand to get the special designation for the counties.

“The HIDTA program is premised upon intelligence sharing and cooperation among federal, state, tribal and local law-enforcement agencies, and I strongly urge Director Kerlikowske to incorporate Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties into HIDTA.”

The federal program places an emphasis on drug-trafficking regions that have harmful effects on other parts of the country.

Since 1990, 28 regions in the United States, comprising 14 percent of U.S. counties, have been designated as High Intensity Drug Trafficking areas and are eligible to receive targeted funding.

With 16 points of entry in Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties, three of which are the top 10 most-used points of entry in the country, the North Country is conducive to drug smuggling.

The four counties are also home to 17 small airports, and three of the counties border the St. Lawrence River, which provides international shipping access to much of the United States.

Clinton County borders Lake Champlain, which is also an international waterway.

Having the area designated as a HIDTA will be very beneficial, Clinton County Sheriff David Favro said.

“We have a lot of long-term investigations, and many times we need more resources, and this program provides just that.

“There is a lot of drug activity up here, and it has gotten worse, and it will continue to get worse if we don’t put the resources into it.”

Favro said the federal program can provide funding for more staff hours on investigations and for needed equipment to do surveillance.

He said the area definitely should qualify for the program.

“There is money out there, but it is focused in different areas, but we need it focused up here.”

In 2007, the program was expanded to include Onondaga and Albany counties as well Erie and Monroe counties.

In their letter to Kerlikowske, the lawmakers said it is time to add the four northern counties.

“The addition of Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties would play a critical role in reducing the flow of narcotics throughout New York and into the rest of the United States,” their letter read in part.

“A goal on which we can all agree.”

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at:

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com