As Arizona has been busy dealing with migrants, some focus has been lost on handling another issue in the state. The Fentanyl drug is crossing the Arizona - Mexican border.
The Arizona Department of Health Services stated five people died every day from opioid overdoses. They confirmed 1,6631 died from an overdose in 2022. Last year there were 3,246 non-fatal overdose events.
Last year in October, an Arizona Department of Public Safety stopped 52 pounds of fentanyl pills and 16 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder which was smuggled in from Mexico.
But many of the checkpoints are not manned as Border Patrol is understaffed and also chasing migrants.
Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said:
"It is open. The border is dangerous. Drugs pour across, international terrorists, criminal gang members, people from all over the world."
Then Representative Steve Montenegro (R-AZ), chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee said fentanyl is the leading cause of death among 18 to 45-year-olds.
Brandon Dunn, the father of a 15-year-old who died last year from fentanyl said:
"Any amount smuggled in a backpack or a fanny pack even in somebody's pocket can be enough to kill thousands of people."
Last year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott recognized the issue and declared the One Pill Kill Campaign to stop the fentanyl drug from coming into his State. He even declared Mexican Cartel terrorists since they play a big part in the drug crossing the border.
As migrants continue to cross the Arizona border, drugs are crossing just as well.
With the removal of former Governor Doug Ducey’s container wall, Governor Katie Hobbs has a big task to stop drugs from entering the State.
How do you think Governor Hobbs should stop drugs from crossing the border?
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