SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. - Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis have expressed deep concern about the influx of fentanyl into the United States, particularly in North Carolina. In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Anne Milgram, the senators highlighted the devastating impact of fentanyl overdoses on North Carolinians and called for urgent action.

Over the past nine years, more than 13,000 individuals in North Carolina have lost their lives due to fentanyl overdoses. The senators attributed this alarming statistic to various factors, including the porous border, drug cartels exploiting social media platforms to sell drugs, and the failure of the Chinese Communist Party to prevent the shipment of fentanyl precursors to these cartels.

Senator Budd emphasized the role of broken border policies in enabling cartels to flood the country with drugs. He revealed that in the fiscal year 2023 alone, over 25,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the southern border. However, this staggering number does not account for the fentanyl that managed to evade detection and infiltrate communities across North Carolina and the nation.

The senators asserted that the nation is being poisoned by fentanyl and other deadly narcotics, with families from all walks of life losing loved ones on a daily basis. Citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they revealed that the United States recorded over 106,000 overdose deaths, including fentanyl-related deaths, within a 12-month period ending in April 2023.

In their letter, Senators Budd and Tillis called upon the Department of Homeland Security and the Drug Enforcement Administration to utilize all available resources to dismantle drug cartels and curb the flow of drugs into the country. They urged these agencies to take decisive action to protect communities and prevent further loss of life.

The issue of fentanyl abuse in North Carolina has gained significant attention in recent months. In August 2023, Axios Raleigh reported that the Raleigh Police Department alone had seized over 17 kilograms of fentanyl this year. This quantity of fentanyl is enough to potentially kill 8.5 million people, equivalent to 85% of North Carolina's population.

As the state grapples with the devastating consequences of the fentanyl crisis, Senators Budd and Tillis are calling for a robust response from federal agencies. Their letter serves as a plea for immediate action to address the flow of fentanyl into the country and protect communities from the relentless onslaught of this deadly drug.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.budd.senate.gov/2023/10/24/budd-tillis-demand-answers-on-flow-of-fentanyl-into-nc/