Heitkamp: New strategy will reduce drug flow

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) said a new national strategy would help reduce the cross-border flow of illegal drugs between the U.S. and Canada.

“Today’s new national drug control strategy aims to provide stronger coordination between the U.S. and Canada so we can prevent the flow of drugs and criminals between our borders,” Heitkamp said Tuesday. “Only by coming together can we stem the tide of drug trafficking and abuse and truly make sure our state remains a safe place for families to live and work.”

{mosads}Heitkamp said, with the large population increase, the rate of drug related crimes has also risen. 

“With North Dakota’s unprecedented population and economic growth, especially in the Bakken, drug-related crimes have become emerging challenges that we must stop,” Heitkamp said. “The administration has taken our concerns seriously.”

She said the administration’s 2014 National Northern Border Counternarcotics Strategy updates policies to address drug trafficking at the northern U.S. border by improving coordination between federal and tribal law enforcement and more efficiently using federal resources.