U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (far left) met with DEA officials in Bedford on Oct. 22 to discuss drug trends in New Hampshire and the agency's community partnerships. Courtesy photo

BEDFORD – U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) recently visited the New Hampshire office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, where officials updated her on current drug trends across the state and the agency’s strategic partnerships with the local communities.

During her Oct. 22 visit, Hassan toured the facility’s temporary on-site laboratory, which supports the Manchester District Office’s response to local drug threats. She was also briefed on the new DEA laboratory in Londonderry that will serve New England when it opens in 2026, accelerating the testing of drug evidence and strengthening investigations.

“The dedicated law enforcement agents at DEA are working tirelessly to keep deadly drugs like fentanyl out of New Hampshire communities,” said Hassan. “I will continue to work to ensure that our law enforcement partners have the resources and tools that they need to protect our neighborhoods and combat drug trafficking across the Granite State and the country.”

During her time in the Senate, Hassan has led efforts to stop drug trafficking and support communities devastated by the fentanyl crisis.

In September, Hassan reintroduced bipartisan legislation to curb the spread of rapidly evolving synthetic drugs by allowing the DEA to restrict and penalize substances that have a substantially similar chemical structure and effect as fentanyl.

In April, the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, co-sponsored by Hassan and U.S. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) was signed into law. The legislation targets the illicit fentanyl supply chain and will impose sanctions on fentanyl traffickers.

Hassan also developed and helped pass into law the END FENTANYL Act, which helps Customs and Border Protection crack down on fentanyl trafficking at the U.S. border.