Having the area designated as a HIDTA will be very beneficial, Clinton County Sheriff David Favro said.

“We have a lot of long-term investigations, and many times we need more resources, and this program provides just that.

“There is a lot of drug activity up here, and it has gotten worse, and it will continue to get worse if we don’t put the resources into it.”

Favro said the federal program can provide funding for more staff hours on investigations and for needed equipment to do surveillance.

He said the area definitely should qualify for the program.

“There is money out there, but it is focused in different areas, but we need it focused up here.”

In 2007, the program was expanded to include Onondaga and Albany counties as well Erie and Monroe counties.

In their letter to Kerlikowske, the lawmakers said it is time to add the four northern counties.

“The addition of Clinton, Franklin, St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties would play a critical role in reducing the flow of narcotics throughout New York and into the rest of the United States,” their letter read in part.

“A goal on which we can all agree.”

E-mail Joe LoTemplio at:

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com