Baucus: High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Should Get More Funding

Senator Says Progress Has Been Made, More Needs To Be Done To Stamp Out Meth, Other Drug Use

April 22, 2008 -- (Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus and others today urged the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide $235 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, which helps drug tasks forces coordinate efforts to curb drug trafficking.

Anti-methamphetamine graffiti on a house near Billings, Montana: Photo by Eric Chan (CC)

Last year, HIDTA received $230 million. Earlier this year, the President proposed cutting funding by $30 million and recommend funding the vital drug fighting program at $200 million. Baucus today led the charge of 33 senators – both Republicans and Democrats – in urging the Appropriations Committee to provide $235 million in funding for fiscal year 2009.

“In 2007, HIDTA initiatives seized approximately 3,855 tons of marijuana, 69 tons of cocaine, three tons of methamphetamine, almost a ton of heroin, and smaller but significant amounts of a large number of other drugs. In total, the wholesale value of these drugs is conservatively valued at more than $23.7 billion. In addition, HIDTA initiatives seized $566 million in cash,” Baucus and the other wrote today. “The amount of good this program does is priceless – you can’t put a price tag on the amount of drugs seized and the lives it saves.”

Baucus and the others noted that the demands of HIDTA are growing each year. In 2002, there were 411 HIDTA-designated counties in the United States and as of February of this year that number increased by 26 new counties.

“The numbers speak for themselves – HIDTA works,” Baucus said. “We must meet the growing demands of fighting drug trafficking in our country. It’s our duty as public servants to help in this fight and to do our part. I’m committed to working together with my colleagues to help secure this much-needed funding.”

Baucus has been a leader in the fight against meth. In 2002, Baucus got five Montana counties into the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, or HIDTA, which helps drug task forces coordinate efforts to curb drug trafficking. Baucus also co-sponsored the 2005 Combat Meth Act and is fighting for more Byrne/JAG grant funding each year – funding that Montana’s drug task forces rely on to fight meth and other illicit drugs.

At the end of last year, Baucus helped write, pass and get the Meth Remediation Act signed into law. Baucus said the legislation is important because after a meth lab is shut down, the building is contaminated not only with methamphetamine, but also other toxic residues associated with meth production. These chemical residues pollute the inside of a building, usually a residential setting, as well as septic and water systems. Baucus noted that he wants to make sure cleanup is done right, the first time.

Montana Senator Jon Tester also signed today’s letter urging appropriators for the HIDTA program funding.

“These funds help keep drugs off of our streets, making Montana communities safer and better places to raise our families,” Tester said. “Just yesterday, I hosted a Montana Drugbusters’ Summit in Great Falls, and I heard from law enforcement folks all over our state about the challenges of fighting drugs. Max and I will continue to fight for resources our drugbusters need.”

Source: Senator Max Baucus

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