CT State Police Receive $1.5 Million Grant to Combat Heroin & Opioid Abuse

Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the Connecticut State Police have been awarded a $1.5 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) to expand their ongoing efforts to address the issue of heroin and opioid abuse and addiction.

"Opioid abuse is a problem that is impacting every corner of our nation, including here in our state, which is why we are increasing efforts at every possible level to fight and put a stop to this crisis,” Governor Malloy said.  “Battling this epidemic requires a multifaceted approach between public health and public safety professionals – an effort that not only improves investigations, but one that also provides necessary treatment and saves lives.”

The funds will be used towards investigating illicit activities related to the distribution of heroin and unlawful distribution of prescriptive opioids.  The Connecticut State Police plan to utilize the grant through a two-pronged approach, including:

• Focusing on interrupting the transportation and sale of opiates in Connecticut by the identification, disruption, and dismantling of drug trafficking organizations through the maintenance and enhancement of the current Statewide Narcotics Task Force.  This will include strengthening partnerships among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combine strategy and efforts requiring extended use of law enforcement personnel in the areas of investigation and intervention.
• Enhancing community policing interventions by partnering with the judicial branch and prosecutors in search of alternatives to incarceration for those requiring substance abuse treatment interventions, and including the development of a best practice model used by individuals with mental health or substance use disorder.

“Interdiction is an essential part of prevention, and this funding will significantly support Connecticut State Police troopers’ efforts to disrupt and dismantle the traffickers responsible for bringing heroin into our state,” Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Dora B. Schriro said.  “In addition to interrupting traffickers, our troopers are leading the way in focused Community Policing, as well as bringing back individuals on the brink of overdose a second chance at recovery.  This funding will enhance all of these crucial efforts.”

“Opioid addiction is ravaging communities across Connecticut, and we need an all-hands-on-deck approach to combatting the deadly epidemic,” the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation said in a joint statement.  “This major federal grant will help support smart and strategic community policing – enhancing partnerships to dismantle drug trafficking rings while also providing alternatives to incarceration for individuals in need of substance abuse and mental health treatment.  While we welcome this federal aid, we also acknowledge that this is a drop in the bucket of what is needed nationwide, and we call on GOP leadership in Washington to do their job and provide states and communities the funding they desperately need to address this crisis.”

The competitive grant was awarded through USDOJ’s 2016 Community Oriented Policing Services Anti-Heroin Task Force Program.