President Joe Biden is set to address the issue of fentanyl trafficking into the United States by calling on federal agencies and Congress to take action. Fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, has been a major contributor to overdose deaths in the country, with tens of thousands of Americans succumbing to its effects each year.
Biden will issue a national security memorandum directing federal departments and agencies to collaborate and share information to combat the flow of narcotics, including fentanyl. The president aims to enhance intelligence collection on traffickers' tactics and empower law enforcement to seize these deadly drugs before they reach communities.
The administration is urging Congress to pass the 'Detect and Defeat proposal,' which includes measures to track and target small-dollar shipments at the border, establish a registry for pill press machines to prevent illicit use in producing fake fentanyl pills, and impose stricter penalties for fentanyl-related substances.
The White House highlighted the need to crack down on drug traffickers smuggling fentanyl, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to combat this crisis. Fentanyl has been a driving force behind the recent surge in overdose deaths, with synthetic opioids contributing to over two-thirds of such fatalities last year.
While drug overdose deaths in the U.S. slightly decreased in 2023 after a period of escalation during the Covid-19 pandemic, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids remain significant threats. Law enforcement seized over 115 million illicit fentanyl pills in 2023, a substantial increase from previous years, underscoring the urgency of addressing this public health crisis.
The president's actions come amidst heightened political tensions, with the Trump campaign launching ads targeting Vice President Kamala Harris' immigration record. Harris' campaign, in response, emphasized her support for investing in technology to block fentanyl from entering the country, highlighting the divergent approaches to border security and drug trafficking.
