Donnelly Touts Drug Enforcement, Treatment Efforts

In an election year, U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) Tuesday touted drug enforcement funding he’s helped secure for Indiana law enforcement agencies.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry says Donnelly was vital to ensure Indiana counties received a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area designation from the federal government. Curry says money from that program has direct benefit to law enforcement.

“Paying overtime for officers assigned to those types of investigations, equipment,” Curry says.

Donnelly says treatment is just as important. He says he’s worked to secure help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in this year’s Farm Bill for rural telemedicine.

“So that folks can go to USDA facilities to be able to connect right to Methodist here in town and talk to an addiction treatment specialist,” Donnelly says.

Donnelly says he expects a vote on the Farm Bill soon.

Donnelly faces Republican Mike Braun and Libertarian Lucy Brenton on November’s ballot.  The three will participate in several televised debates this fall.