Many states are seeking ways to curb the rising destruction caused by fentanyl and other opioids, as drug addiction overdoses are turning out to be deadly across the country.
Lawmakers nationwide up for further regulating Fentanyl
Lawmakers in different states are trying to deal with the rising drug crisis on two fronts.
First, they are aiming to increase penalties for mixing fentanyl with other drugs. Secondly, they also seek ways to reduce the risk of this drug on consumers.
Many attorney generals from red states are asking the Biden administration to do more on the issue at the federal level. Some Republican governors are even using National Guard units to stop incoming fentanyl from Mexico.
A GOP state senator from Ohio, Nathan Manning, noted it is the time to help troubled people and get rid of drug dealers from American streets.
When asked how specifically he was calling on NATO and the west to act, Velshi replied, “direct military involvement.” https://t.co/jaDGSijkZM
— Jason Haddix (@doctor_eon) April 4, 2022
The matter is being discussed in various states at the same time, considering the fact drug addiction has triggered a severe crisis all over the United States.
For the first time in the history of the country, over 100,000 people died of drug addiction in a single year in 2021, as per US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Two-thirds of these deaths were associated with fentanyl and some other synthetic drugs. These drugs are at least 50 percent more dangerous than other drugs, like morphine and heroin.
The issue started making headlines once again when the case of five west point cadets made headlines in Florida.
China is the starting point of the drug war in America
The pathway by which fentanyl reaches the United States is extremely controversial. Reportedly, the starting point of the precursors of these drugs is in China, from where it reaches Mexico.
Eventually, fentanyl is finally smuggled to the United States through the open southern border.
The fentanyl-fueled overdose epidemic in Tennessee—and across the country—is worse than ever. I've introduced legislation that will give additional Title 42 authority to quickly remove illegal aliens to combat substantial illicit drug smuggling. This crisis has to stop. pic.twitter.com/kmbFjRnWrW
— Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) March 31, 2022
Sometimes, consumers ask for fentanyl alone; however, the problem is the mixing of it with other synthetic drugs, which makes users unaware of what they are consuming.
Experts suggest testing strips can be used to detect whether or not a specific drug is being overdosed with fentanyl.
These strips are available at needle exchanges, as well as various concerts where these overdose fentanyl drugs are likely to be served to huge crowds.
A legislative officer in a drug treatment organization in Ohio, Thomas Stuber, is seeking strip legislation in the state.
The legislation, if passed, would provide people with a drug that can be used to treat opioid overdoses in case of an accidental intake.
According to him, this harm reduction approach is gaining a lot of popularity among the masses.
As per the National Conference of State Legislatures, over half a dozen states have passed laws along these lines, while almost a dozen considered enacting them in various capacities.
West Virginia is the state worst impacted by these crises in per capita terms. Thus, the legislature of the state recently passed a bill to legalize testing strips.
