By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Hoping to crackdown on the rise of heroin and opioid abuse, the DEA has launched a first-of-its-kind program to target drug-related crime.
The Tribune-Review reports that the pilot program will be established in the Pittsburgh and focus on finding long-term solutions.
That will involve working with health care and social services agencies.
Why Pittsburgh?
Local authorities have been shocked by the proliferation of heroin and drug overdoses recently.
“Heroin and pill overdoses are through the roof, and it’s making us in law enforcement look at some different approaches,” DEA spokesman Patrick Trainor said.
In Pennsylvania, heroin or opioid deaths have increased from 47 in 2009 to more than 800 in 2013.
It’s not year clear how the pilot program will work and what impact it will have on existing prevention and enforcement efforts.
Other Stories of Interest
- FBI Searching for New Evidence in 1994 Murders in Pennsylvania
- Des Moines Register: FBI Chief Should Welcome Increased Scrutiny
- Mexico Criticizes U.S. for Not Filing Charges in Border Patrol Death
- ATF Dog Retires After Helping Find Church Fire Suspect in St. Louis
- Hillary Clinton Joins Call to Change Cannabis Classification
