As Opioid Epidemic Rages, Courtney Meets With Local Police Chiefs To Extol Increased Federal Funding To Hire Officers And Combat Drug Addiction

(Norwich, CT) —Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) met with local police chiefs in Ledyard, Connecticut to extol increased federal funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services Grant Program (COPS), Byrne Justice Assistance Grants, and then Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Courtney met with chiefs Patrick Daley of the Norwich PD, John J. Rich of the Ledyard PD, Peter G. Reichard of the New London PD, and Louis J. Fusaro, Jr. of the Groton PD.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM TODAY'S POLICE CHIEFS MEETING

"Following the release of grim statistics from the office of the Chief Medical Examiner on drug overdoses state-wide in 2017, I met with the police chiefs from across the region to determine what the most critical needs are to combat drug addiction. Time and again I hear the same refrain, they need more funding to hire police officers and fund drug treatment facilities," said Courtney. "I was very pleased yesterday that after months of debate in House, we were able to pass a bill with robust federal funding targeted to help local communities hire police officers and educate youth about the acute dangers of prescription opioid and heroin abuse. Our local police officers are out working the front lines of the crisis each day and they deserve our full support for leading this fight."

Patrick Daley, Chief of the Norwich Police Department said, "Without federal assistance through grants contained with this bill, the Norwich Police Department would struggle to find resources to perform our mission. We thank Congressman Courtney for all his efforts on behalf of law enforcement, not only in Norwich, but throughout the region. The funding available through grants for the opioid crisis will definitely help save lives."

Information on law enforcement funding provisions FY 2018 omnibus spending bill

Opioid Response

State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants

• $1 billion (double FY17) distributed through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  • 15% set aside for states with highest mortality.
  • Formula for distribution of grant funds to states will be based on "objective measures". This is a step in the right direction and the result of small state advocacy to change the formula so that it more accurately acknowledges the mortality and prevalence of substance use disorder in states like Connecticut.

• $500 million for Centers for Disease Control (CDC) substance use disorder surveillance and prevention efforts
• $500 million for National Institutes of Health (NIH) research on opioid alternatives

Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act DOJ Grants

FY17 Funding: $103 million

FY18 Admin. Request: $100 million ($3 million cut)

FY18 Omnibus: $330 million ($227 million increase)

These grants will expand from site-based grants to include prevention and education programs for youth, community engagement by law enforcement, response teams to assist children dealing with the aftermath of opioid addiction, and family court programming relating to treatment for opioids.

Law Enforcement Programs

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office

FY17 Funding: $221.5 million

FY18 Admin. Request: $218 million ($3.5 million cut)

FY18 Omnibus: $275.5 million ($54 million increase)

• Includes $32 million for COPS anti-heroin task force, a $22 million increase over FY17.

Byrne Justice Assistance Grants

FY17 Funding: $376.5 million

FY18 Admin. Request: $332.5 million ($44 million cut)

FY18 Omnibus: $415.5 million ($39 million increase)

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

FY17 Funding: $388 million

FY18 Admin. Request $24 million ($364 million or 95% cut)

FY18 Omnibus $415.5 million ($27.5 million increase)

• Includes $280 million for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, a $26 million increase over FY17.
• President Trump has yet to appoint a permanent director to ONDCP.