White House singles out oil patch in drug strategy

The White House has singled out the oil patch of northwestern North Dakota and northeastern Montana as part of its 2014 national drug control strategy.

The report released Wednesday says dramatic increases in crime in the Bakken oil-producing region has overwhelmed state, local and tribal agencies working with limited resources.

The document says the FBI and other federal agencies will continue to work with state and local police on "law enforcement, quality of life, women's safety and tribal issues" in oil country.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Purdon of North Dakota says there's a growing threat from organized drug traffickers in the Bakken and he's happy the Obama administration is making the issue a priority.

North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem was not immediately available for comment.