Violent Mexican drug cartels have been making headlines in recent weeks.

And now comes word that the Department of Justice reports cartel organizations exist in 230 American cities.

Of alarming note for Arkansans is that three cities on the list are in the Natural State: Little Rock, Fort Smith and Fayetteville.

U.S. Senator Mark Pryor says coordination of counternarcotics enforcement among every level of government is critical in order to combat drug smuggling across the border and cartel infiltration of U.S. cities.

He held a Senate hearing Tuesday, entitled “Counternarcotics Enforcement: Coordination at the Federal, State and Local Level,” where Arkansas State Drug Director, Frances Flener, testified about the state’s current drug environment and the effectiveness of counter-drug programs.

“The drugs and violence in Mexico is a national, state and local problem. That’s why combating this problem requires law enforcement -- at every level of government -- working together,” Pryor said. “It’s evident that fostering cooperation and information-sharing works, and that we must bolster these resources to really get a grip on drug trafficking and use.”

Pryor said there is common agreement that programs fostering a coordinated approach are effective, including the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. The HIDTA program enables law enforcement to assess drug trafficking problems and design specific initiatives to reduce production, manufacture, transportation, distribution and chronic use of drugs. Four counties in Arkansas -- Washington, Benton, Pulaski and Jefferson -- have the HIDTA designation.

Pryor recently included an amendment in the Senate’s Budget Resolution to increase the funding and counties that can participate in the program.

In her testimony, Flener said, “One of the HIDTA program’s most important contribution to the nation has been the partnerships it has nurtured among participating agencies. This has led to the leveraging of resources and sharing of intelligence through a regional coordinated approach.”

Pryor is chairman of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on State, Local and Private Sector Preparedness and Integration.