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N.H. Part Of $5M White House Initiative To Combat Heroin Epidemic

 

New Hampshire politicians were quick to praise a new White House initiative to combat heroin use and trafficking.

Amid a spike in heroin use and deaths across the country, the Obama administration on Monday announced $5 million initiative focused on states along the East Coast.

 About half of the money will fund a program to link public health and law enforcement agencies and prioritize treatment for drug users over punishments. Gov. Maggie Hassan says that reflects what New Hampshire experts have made clear: the state can't arrest its way out of the heroin epidemic.

Sens. Kelly Ayotte and Jeanne Shaheen also applauded the announcement.

New Hampshire saw more than 300 drug-related deaths last year, and police chiefs in major cities are calling for more help to battle a growing crisis.

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