Fentanyl fumble during first presidential debate
28 Junio 2024 - 12:30PM
The fentanyl and opioid discussion during the CNN Presidential
Debate left more questions than answers.
Jake Tapper: “…the number of overdose deaths in
this country has gone up. Under your term, it went up. Under your
term, it has gone up. Former President Trump, despite the efforts
that both of you have made, more than 100,000 Americans are dying
from overdoses every year, primarily from fentanyl and other
opioids. What will you do to help Americans right now in the throes
of addiction, who are struggling to get the treatment they
need?”
Let’s look at real answers and solutions:
AddictionNot AddressedThere is a clear need
for more treatment centers across the U.S. Increased federal
funding will help. Local communities also need to eliminate
roadblocks to more treatment available in areas where they are most
needed. The federal government needs to work in cooperation with
states to reduce the reliance of the prison system to treat
addiction, a necessary step in stopping the revolving door around
drugs, prison, and the community. This week’s Supreme Court
decision on opioid settlement funds is another setback.
Fentanyl and the borderPartially
AddressedBoth candidates briefly spoke about securing the
border, and the supply of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals from
China. That is only part of the problem. Border control alone
cannot stop the tens of thousands 3 milligram lethal doses from
infiltrating the U.S.
Fake pills sold largely on social media platform
are now causing the spiraling death rate of young Americans. Pill
presses in the hands of drug dealers and the use of sophisticated
supply chains make buying a fake pill as easy as ordering fast
food. Stronger laws to stop the pressing of fake pills and holding
social media accountable are needed to solve this crisis.
Public EducationNot AddressedThe fact that
the debate missed key parts of the problem show the dramatic need
to increase public education on this issue.
To help, the National Crime Prevention Council has
released a new public service announcement featuring McGruff the
Crime Dog® emphasizing the harms of fake pills sold on social media
platforms. You can watch it here.
About the National Crime Prevention
CouncilThe nonprofit National Crime Prevention Council is home
to McGruff the Crime Dog® and has helped generations of Americans
Take A Bite Out Of Crime® through public education campaigns and
advocating for public policies to make the U.S. safer. Follow NCPC
on Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X
(@McGruffatNCPC).
Tatiana Peralta
National Crime Prevention Council
202-919-5544
tperalta@ncpc.org