WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA -United States Attorney Bill Powell is applauding the news that Wheeling Police Chief Shawn Schwertfeger will now sit on the executive board of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
“Appalachia HIDTA serves a vital role in our fight against the drug epidemic, providing much-needed funding to our task forces. It’s only fitting to have Chief Schwertfeger sit on this team, with his years of law enforcement expertise and experience. As a member of the executive board myself, I believe the chief is a great addition to an already great group of people fighting the good fight," said Powell.
The AHIDTA Executive Board provides executive leadership and direction on a multitude of issues pertaining to drug law enforcement throughout the Appalachia HIDTA area of responsibility which includes 90 designated counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and Virginia.
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program is administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). A component of the Executive Office of the President, ONDCP was created by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. ONDCP advises the President on drug-control issues, coordinates drug-control activities and related funding across the Federal government, and produces the annual National Drug Control Strategy, which outlines Administration efforts to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
