A Tuesday news conference including U.S. Attorney Emily Gray Rice and Attorney General Joseph Foster will announce that Manchester will be the first city in the Northeast where the Drug Enforcement Administration will start a new "360 Strategy."
The 10 a.m. announcement will be held at the Manchester Boys & Girls Club on Union Street.
According to information provided by the DEA, the 360 Strategy comprises a three-fold approach to fighting drug traffickers and the opiate abuse epidemic:
--Enforcement, involving actions that target drug trafficking organizations supplying opioids to the region, including efforts to specifically target traffickers that supply opioids resulting in fatal and non-fatal overdoses;
--Diversion control efforts to engage drug manufacturers, wholesalers, practitioners and pharmacists to increase awareness of the heroin and prescription drug problem and push for responsible prescribing by members of the medical community;
--Community outreach involving partnerships with medical professionals, governmental and community service organizations to proactively educate the public of the dangers of prescription drug and heroin abuse, and connect individuals with needed treatment services.
In Manchester, it is anticipated the program will involve sixth-graders and their parents.
The New Hampshire Sunday News reported Oct. 30 that Manchester was one of four cities to take part in the federal pilot program.
(c)2016 The New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, N.H.)
