Moore backs bill reauthorizing ‘critical’ programs to fight fentanyl epidemic, addiction

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore has announced his full support of legislation aimed at fighting the trafficking of fentanyl and drug addiction across America. The bill, the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2024, would reactivate both the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program and the Drug-Free Communities program to help accomplish the task.

“Fentanyl is wreaking havoc on our communities, tearing apart families, and putting our children at risk,” Moore (R-Enterprise) said. “This legislation is a win for the safety of our country because it gives agencies the tools to fight against this deadly threat and hold drug traffickers accountable. We will not stand idly by while this poison crosses our borders and extinguishes American lives.”

The Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2024 will specifically:

  • Reauthorize the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) program at FY 2024 enacted funding levels through FY 2031.
  • Reauthorize related ONDCP programs including the Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance program, the Model Acts Program, the Community-Based Coalition Enhancement Grants program, and the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute.
  • Incorporate key aspects of the HIDTA Reauthorization Act to bolster local law enforcement resources and temporarily reassign prosecutorial resources to combat fentanyl.
  • Codify the Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act to ensure ONDCP continues to deliver strategies to address drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
  • Require the ONDCP Director to conduct a study on life saving opioid overdose reversal agents.
  • Direct the ONDCP Director to coordinate with the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State to ensure appropriate agencies are properly resourced to ensure that traffickers of illicit drugs are held accountable under Title 8 immigration authorities.
  • Require the Secretary of Homeland Security to include in a report to the ONDCP Director the effects of current trends of encounters at the southwest border on CBP’s ability to interdict deadly, illicit drugs.

The legislation passed the House of Representatives on Thursday and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten