Heitkamp Announces Significant Federal Funding for Substance Abuse Prevention in High-Need Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 17, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today announced a total of more than $1.6 million in federal funding to strengthen and expand programs in high-need communities to address the growing problems of substance abuse among young adults.

The North Dakota State Department of Human Services will disperse this funding to communities in North Dakota that are considered high-need to help address the top two substance abuse problems: underage drinking in among 12 to 20 year olds and prescription drug misuse and abuse among 12 to 25 year olds. These funds will be used to coordinate efforts and provide support and training between state and tribal entities and the communities who will receive the funding to develop effective prevention strategies and sustainable prevention infrastructure.

“The increase in substance abuse is a scary reality in North Dakota, often tearing apart families and communities,” said Heitkamp. “It’s absolutely critical that we address these issues head on – and that starts with strong and effective prevention tools to make sure our children aren’t forming these bad habits early on. I’ve been working with folks across the state through my Strong & Safe Communities Initiative, local law enforcement and the Administration to make sure North Dakota has the resources it needs to combat substance abuse, and these funds will help do that.”

Since serving as North Dakota’s Attorney General, Heitkamp has played a leading role in supporting and protecting North Dakota communities. Last August, Heitkamp and the White House Drug Czar released a national strategy to combat drug crime and trafficking across the country, with a particular focus on the growing drug problems in North Dakota.

Heitkamp also welcomed news that a special prosecutor will be placed in western North Dakota to help fight drug-related crimes in the state’s oil patch in January 2014. And in June 2014, Heitkamp brought Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) – then-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs – to North Dakota to meet with Border Patrol agents, local sheriffs, tribal law enforcement and other officials and hear firsthand about the security and law enforcement challenges facing North Dakota as the state’s population has boomed.

To help address the unique law enforcement challenges in Indian Country, Heitkamp also brought together leaders from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in March 2014, focusing specifically on drug abuse and trafficking on the reservation.

In September 2014, Heitkamp launched her Strong & Safe Communities Initiative to help address some of the emerging challenges facing the state by bringing a greater focus to keeping North Dakota’s communities strong and families’ safe in their homes. Combating the rise of substance abuse issues, particularly prescription drug use and drug crimes, is a key issue Heitkamp is working to address.