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High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program
Stored: High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of National Drug Control Policy |
| Top Organization | Executive Office of the President |
| Creation Legislation | Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program enhances coordination and resources to combat drug trafficking in critical regions. It aims to reduce drug availability and related crime through federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships. |
| Program Start | 1990 |
| Initial Funding | $3 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA) is an Executive Office of the President initiative managed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy that strengthens anti-drug efforts in 33 designated regions across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, supporting over 2,800 law enforcement personnel and impacting more than 50 projects as of 2025. Established in 1990 under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, HIDTA has disbursed over $3.5 billion by 2025 to enhance intelligence sharing, interdiction, and prevention, with 2025 efforts post-Hurricane Helene bolstering resilience by targeting trafficking networks in affected areas like Appalachia, leveraging partnerships with agencies like DEA and DOJ.
Goals
- Reduce drug trafficking and availability in high-risk U.S. regions.
- Enhance coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement.
- Mitigate drug-related crime and violence through targeted resources.
Organization
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program was sponsored by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) within the Executive Office of the President, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, supporting 33 HIDTA regions with over 2,800 personnel from agencies like DEA, FBI, and local police, managed by ONDCP’s HIDTA Director and regional executive boards, collaborating across all 50 states and territories.
The leader at the Executive Office level was the ONDCP Director, currently Rahul Gupta (as of February 22, 2025), overseeing the program’s strategic direction.
History
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program was established in 1990 under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, launched with five initial regions—New York/New Jersey, Southwest Border, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami—to combat trafficking hubs. It expanded to 33 regions by 2025, with key milestones including $225 million proposed for DOJ transfer in 2005 (reversed due to priority concerns) and 2024’s addition of five new areas, adapting post-Hurricane Helene in 2025 to enhance trafficking interdiction in storm-affected zones.
Funding
Initial funding in 1990 was $3 million from Congressional appropriations. Funding has grown to over $3.5 billion by 2025 within ONDCP’s $39 billion FY 2025 drug control budget, supporting over 50 projects annually, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like 2025’s $5 million for resilience-focused interdiction.
Implementation
The program was implemented through regional task forces, intelligence centers, and prevention efforts, targeting trafficking in 33 HIDTA regions across all 50 states and territories. It operates continuously with no end date, enhancing resilience post-Helene in 2025 via coordinated operations with DEA and local agencies.
Related
External links
- https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/high-intensity-drug-trafficking-areas-program/
- https://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy - Office of Nuclear Energy
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas