(Concord, NH) – Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, released the following statement on reports that the Trump Administration plans to slash the budget for the Office of National Drug Control Policy by 95 percent:

“The Office of National Drug Control Policy has been a constructive partner in the effort to stem the substance misuse epidemic we’re facing in New Hampshire. At a time when we’re beginning to make headway in expanding treatment and recovery options and getting people the help they need, essentially eliminating ONDCP is nonsensical. I’m deeply concerned by reports that the Trump Administration is planning to gut the agency. President Trump has repeatedly expressed his support for taking on the opioid epidemic but his efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and failure to staff key positions at ONDCP tell another story. I’ll continue to advocate on behalf of those on the frontlines of this crisis and work to fully fund programs critical to addressing the opioid epidemic.”

Cuts to the ONDCP would have the potential to impact important programs in New Hampshire such as Drug Courts and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. HIDTA coordinates drug trafficking activities in designated areas. Hillsborough and Rockingham counties are both designated as HIDTA areas.

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