POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer wants the federal government to designate a Hudson Valley county as a high-intensity drug-trafficking area so it can attain more resources to battle what law enforcement officials say is a major increase in heroin use.
The New York Democrat will be in Poughkeepsie Monday morning to launch what he says will be a two-pronged plan to help Dutchess County officials tackle a recent uptick in heroin use and related criminal activity.
Schumer says he wants the county to receive the special designation from President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy so Poughkeepsie-area law enforcement agencies can qualify for additional resources.
He’ll also seek the establishment of a statewide, comprehensive database that local officials can access and use to determine trends and patterns of drug-related crimes in the region.
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