MONTICELLO — After many years of non-stop advocating for it, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. “Chuck” Schumer announced Thursday, July 6 in Monticello, that Sullivan County has received a critical federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) designation. 

Schumer personally invited the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Dr. Rahul Gupta, to the Lawrence H. Cooke Sullivan County Court House to announce the designation. 

The Senator said that despite having the highest per capita fatal drug overdose rate in New York, Sullivan was the only county in the Hudson Valley to not be included in the New York/New Jersey HIDTA zone, until Thursday. 

He said that the designation will now be able to provide the county with access to federal resources to help local law enforcement combat the opioid crisis and stop dangerous drug traffickers. 

Fentanyl is present in over 80 percent of fatal overdoses in the county. Rates of emergency visits and hospitalization for opioid overdoses are higher than the state average and in 2022, Sullivan County reported 218 overdose incidents including 24 fatalities. The NY/NJ HIDTA program supports 16 initiatives which includes investigation, prevention, management, training, intelligence and technology. 

“This will help save lives in Sullivan County and across the Hudson Valley,” Schumer said. 

“Year after year, I stood with local law enforcement and community members,” Schumer continued. “I promised I would not stop fighting until I delivered this critical HIDTA designation and the invaluable coordination and resources that come with it. Today, I am proud to say that a promise made is now a promise kept.”

Schumer thanked Gupta for working tirelessly to address this life-threatening issue in the county, as well as NY-NJ HIDTA Director Chauncey Parker, the Sullivan County Drug Task Force, and “so many others whose heart and soul went into making today’s announcement possible.”

Gupta said he looks forward to a strong partnership as they work together to beat the overdose epidemic. He said that Schumer and public safety officials in New York have worked to ensure that their communities get the critical resources and support they need to reduce drug trafficking and save lives. 

NY-NJ HIDTA Director Parker thanked Senator Schumer for his tireless work and leadership to get the designation for Sullivan County. 

“For so many years, Senator Schumer has been an unwavering champion for the vision of the HIDTA program - both in our region and across the country,” Parker said. “In particular the belief that we are always stronger and better when we work together. ONDCP Director Gupta’s designation of Sullivan County today will be a springboard to help the remarkable Sullivan County multi-agency partnership to achieve its common North Star - to reduce drug overdoses and save lives.”

Local leaders rejoice

In addition to Schumer, Gupta, and Parker, Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff, Acting District Attorney (DA) Brian Conaty, former Sullivan County Drug Task Force Co-Chair Wendy Brown, and NY-19 Congressman Marc Molinaro were also in attendance and spoke on the designation. 

“With federal resources and enhanced collaboration, we will combat the opioid crisis, dismantle drug networks, and provide justice for victims,” Schiff said. 

“We’re grateful for Senator Schumer’s dedication and commitment to our well-being, which will be remembered for years to come,” Conaty said. “This achievement is a result of the collective hard work of a community determined to succeed, and we’re proud to move forward together.”

Brown also thanked the tireless work by everyone involved in making Sullivan County a safer place to live, work, and thrive. The former Co-Chair of the Drug Task Force has been at the forefront of the fight to get Sullivan County the proper designation. 

Molinaro said that this is a turning point for the county. He said the designation will help bring critical federal resources to light to combat drug trafficking. 

“We are poised to make a profound difference for Sullivan County,” he said. 

Everyone involved was filled with joy as they spoke on the milestone in front of the Court House on a hot, summer day. Schumer also noted that the sun came out because of the announcement as the future becomes brighter. 

“It is now a healthier, brighter tomorrow for this county, because of today,” Schumer said.