Nothing says Halloween like candy corn, carved pumpkins, and children dressed up in costumes to go trick-or-treating. But this Halloween, parents will unfortunately face something much more haunting than ghosts — fentanyl disguised as candy.
Since August 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration and its law enforcement partners have found brightly colored fentanyl and fentanyl pills, nicknamed “rainbow fentanyl,” in 26 states. According to the DEA, “this trend appears to be a new method used by drug cartels to sell highly addictive and potentially deadly fentanyl made to look like candy to children and young people.” The DEA has already seized more than 10.2 million fentanyl pills and 980 pounds of fentanyl powder from May through September of this year— the equivalent of 36 million lethal doses. And that was before “rainbow fentanyl” hit the market.
Across the country, fentanyl-involved drug overdose deaths are increasing exponentially. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,375 people in the United States died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings in the 12-month period ending in January 2022 — 67% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The worst part? The Biden administration’s open border policies and rhetoric are fueling this crisis. Indeed, most of the fentanyl in the U.S. is coming in through the southern border via regular criminal drug shipment routes. By keeping our border wide open, this administration is allowing illegal drugs to continue to flood into our communities, risking the lives of our families, friends, neighbors, and now children.
In addition to illegal drugs infiltrating our communities, for the first time in recorded history, there have been over 2 million arrests at the southern border in a year. And these are not all well-intentioned immigrant families looking for a better life. These numbers include a 453% increase in drug smuggler arrests and a 212% increase in sex offenders attempting to enter our neighborhoods.
There is no question that the crisis at our southern border is threatening the safety of our communities, our families, and our children. The only question is: What can we do about it?
First, we must fund effective border enforcement strategies that will prevent illegal crossings and cartel trafficking. My legislation, the Upholding the Law at Our Border Act will require the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the vetting process of immigrants apprehended at our southern border and ensure that all laws are being upheld. This bill will hold the Biden administration accountable, requiring a report to be submitted to Congress with the number of individuals apprehended, the number of people who were released into the U.S., and efforts of the DHS to monitor and provide the number and location of resettled illegal immigrants.
Second, Congress must take action to end catch-and-release loopholes that are allowing illegal immigrants to wander into our communities because of the Biden administration’s “no consequences” policy for immigrants who break the law. This incredibly irresponsible policy only serves to place the lives of our friends, family, and children at risk.
And third, Congress must pass legislation to permanently schedule fentanyl as a Schedule I substance through the DEA. I introduced legislation, the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act, that would ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances. Congress cannot continue to temporarily schedule fentanyl; it is time for a permanent solution to hold criminals accountable and prevent this deadly substance from reaching our communities.
Finally, I want to encourage parents to stay on the alert and make sure to double-check their children’s candy this year — not just for Halloween but for the foreseeable future. While it is very unfortunate that families in our communities can no longer solely focus on the fun traditions of Halloween, it is important to stay vigilant and keep our children safe.
Republicans are ready and waiting to secure our border and combat illegal immigration. It is far past time that we take tangible action with real results to address the border crisis. I am committed to doing just that — for our families, neighbors, and children across the U.S.
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Dan Newhouse represents Washington’s 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
