Combatting the fentanyl crisis

By Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

The fentanyl crisis has become one of the most pressing challenges our nation faces. According to the CDC, fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45 and is responsible for over 70 percent of all drug-related deaths in the U.S. In 2022, 469 Iowans and more than 100,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdoses.

Tragically, the numbers have continued to rise in 2023 and 2024, with the death toll reaching even higher levels than in previous years. The devastating impact on families, communities, and the nation as a whole is staggering. Immediate action is critical to end this epidemic.

Unfortunately, the crisis has worsened under the Biden-Harris administration, with loose border policies that have enabled drug cartels to flood our country with deadly fentanyl. These cartels exploit vulnerabilities in our border security, bringing in record amounts of fentanyl that end up on our streets, in our schools, and in our homes. But there is hope. Under the leadership of the Trump administration, significant strides were made to secure the border and curb the flow of illicit drugs, including fentanyl. I’m working alongside them to strengthen these efforts and ensure we stop the cartels from exploiting our southern border.

As a member of Congress, I am committed to doing everything I can to fight this growing crisis and protect the lives of Iowans and all Americans. One important step forward in this battle is the recent passage of H.R. 467, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, or the HALT Fentanyl Act. This bill will make the current temporary Schedule I classification for fentanyl — and any substance mixed with it — permanent. By doing so, it will give law enforcement the tools they need to stop these dangerous drugs from entering our communities and wreaking havoc, without hampering it’s legitimate use for surgery. It will also support research to better understand the effects of fentanyl-related substances on public health, ensuring that we can more effectively respond to this crisis. Additionally, we continue our efforts to make narcan & naloxone readily available to treat overdoses, reduce barriers for substance use disorder treatment and educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl-laced medications.

The fentanyl epidemic requires swift and decisive action, and we cannot afford to wait as more lives are lost. I am proud to support the HALT Fentanyl Act and will continue to push for policies that protect our communities, strengthen border security, and provide law enforcement with the resources they need to combat drug trafficking.

I will remain focused on doing everything I can to keep Iowans safe and to strengthen efforts to stop fentanyl from reaching our streets.