Northeast States Gang Up Against Heroin
Four states are teaming up to fight what they say is a heroin epidemic, largely in response to the uptick of the drug in suburban areas.
New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey will now be able to exchange information in drug trafficking investigations, as well as prosecute members of a drug ring who may not live within state borders.
“This task force is setting up formal, secure channels for passing the information along,” said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who is leading the effort along with Pennsylvania's Attorney General Kathleen Kane. “There’s information being gathered by law enforcement agencies all over the country about activities in other states, it’s just not going anywhere. We’re going to put an end to that.”
According to Schneiderman’s office, 98% of heroin busts in New York have involved the drug passing through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Massachusetts at some point.
Schneiderman said that heroin has become increasingly popular in affluent, suburban areas, and is now viewed by many young people as a “party drug.” He emphasized the importance of reaching out to families and schools to prevent youth from getting hooked.
Heroin use among teens, however, has dropped between 2011 and 2013, falling from 2.9% to 2.2%.
