The Alaska High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative is launching another statewide advertising campaign aimed at combatting drug trafficking in Alaska. The #CatchAndDetain campaign encourages Alaskans to report drug trafficking in their community to local, state, or federal law enforcement, or securely online through a phone app.
According to a Dec. 1 announcement about the campaign, Alaska law enforcement seized tens of millions of potentially fatal doses of fentanyl across Alaska last year and made hundreds of arrests.
“Despite the efforts of Alaska law enforcement officers, hundreds of Alaskans continue to die as a result of drug overdoses,” the notice states.
The latest initiative includes multiple enforcement agencies that are encouraging the public to report suspicious drug trafficking activity to local law enforcement. This can be done quickly and anonymously.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Those who wish to participate can download the AKTips smartphone app for iOS or Android. Alternatively, Alaskans can submit a tip securely online at akhidta.org or text the keyword AKTIPS, followed by a description of the crime to 847411.
Funding for the campaign is provided by the HIDTA allotments that the Alaska initiative has received annually since 2018 from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
The Alaska program is spread throughout the state, and includes partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. More information about the initiative and participating agencies can be found at akhidta.org.
