Rensselaer County will receive federal help in combating its opioid problem.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Friday that the county has been identified as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, and as such, will receive more technology and intelligence resources to aid both police and addiction advocates in fighting opioid use.

"The Capital Region, and Rensselaer County especially, have been devastated by a deadly spikes in overdoses fueled by the surge in drug trafficking and fentanyl on our streets," Schumer said in a statement. "Now after years of fighting, Rensselaer County has been granted the critical HIDTA designation it desperately needs to get on the ground tools, increased intelligence, coordination and resources from the feds to stop dangerous drug traffickers and reduce the flow of deadly opioids across the Capital Region...This will save lives."

Schumer cited reporting that showed an overdose spike in the county in 2024, as well as Schenectady County's similar designation in 2022 as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. He noted that law enforcement will be able to purchase equipment like narcotics analyzers, while public health agencies will also have stronger technology at their disposal.

"The HIDTA designation will provide access to specialized resources in our fight against illegal drug trafficking and drug overdoses," said Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly in a statement.