Politicians want cop crackdowns on drug dealers. Experts say tough tactics cost lives

Drug busts like this one in Indianapolis in 2019 have been a standard strategy for law enforcement targeting dealers for decades. Research suggests the raids may be doing more harm than good. (Indianapolis Municipal Police Department)

A growing coalition of U.S. politicians want tougher police tactics used against gangs now selling fentanyl, methamphetamines and xylazine.

"We do need to stop the trafficking of these drugs and give law enforcement the tools they need," said Nevada's Democratic Sen. Catherine Masto Cortez, lead sponsor of a bill to toughen penalties for dealing the synthetic drug xylazine.