MINOT, N.D. – The nation’s acting drug czar is in North Dakota promoting an update to the White House’s northern border strategy.
Michael Botticelli says it focuses on fighting crime in the oil patch of North Dakota and Montana.
Botticelli is acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He said during a stop in Minot Tuesday that “significant additions” to the northern border plan include targeting synthetic drugs and working to fight drug trafficking in the Bakken oil fields. He said there will be more information-sharing with Canada and enhanced cooperation with tribal governments.
U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says it’s a struggle in Congress to bring attention to the northern border. But the North Dakota Democrat says there are some unique challenges that need addressing in northern states.