WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced today that the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has informed him of the addition of Boyd County to the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA), which will provide additional assistance to combat the drug abuse crisis in Eastern Kentucky. AHIDTA assists federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in critical drug trafficking areas. 

"The addition of Boyd County will help crack down on the high rate of drug trafficking across the state line. The addition has been highly anticipated by local and state leaders, and I have been pleased to support them in this effort for several years," said Congressman Rogers. "I applaud ONDCP Director Jim Carroll for taking action to designate Boyd County as part of AHIDTA's service territory. We are making great strides to beat back the scourge of addiction in our region and this task force has the necessary tools to crack down on drug dealers."

Kentucky's drug overdose rate decreased by 15% in 2018, according to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy.

The Boyd County Sheriff's office and the Ashland Police Department have been working collaboratively with community leaders and other stakeholders in seeking this important designation. AHIDTA currently serves nearly every county in Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District.