{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-leads-local-sheriffs-arizona-border-visit-discuss-how-fentanyl", "Bilirakis Leads Local Sheriffs in Arizona Border Visit to Discuss How Fentanyl Crisis is Impacting Communities throughout Florida", "2022-11-02", "2022", "2022-11", "Republican", "House", "FL", "Gus M. Bilirakis", "B001257", "bilirakis.house.gov", "bilirakis", "https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Mariposa Port of Entry, Arizona: U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis led a delegation of members from the Florida Sheriff\u2019s Association and other local enforcement officials on a tour of the border in Arizona this week. The Congressman was joined by Hernando County Sheriff and Florida Sheriff\u2019s Association President Al Nienhuis, Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper, Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast, Major Phil Kapusta from the Pasco County Sheriff\u2019s Office, and Colonel Justin Ferrara from the Citrus County Sheriff\u2019s Office. During this week\u2019s visit, the group heard directly from the DEA, Customs and Border Protection Services, U.S. Border Patrol Agents, and border county sheriffs about how fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are being trafficked across the border and fueling the addiction crisis plaguing the country. More than 107,000 Americans died of a drug overdose during the past year, with Florida ranking 2nd in the nation in opioid-related deaths. Fentanyl overdose is now the number one cause of death in the nation for individuals ages 18 to 45. Law enforcement officials also report that most of the synthetic opioids found on streets throughout the country have been manufactured in China and then trafficked across unsecured areas along the southern border. The exact amount of fentanyl and related substances that have been trafficked into our country is impossible to precisely pinpoint, but law enforcement officials have seen a dramatic spike in the amount seized and report only being able to stop a fraction of the true amount flowing in due to limited resources.\n\n\u201cFrom speaking with those on the front lines at the border, it is clear that the crisis is worsening by the day and that our brave men and women who are trying to keep our country safe have not been given the manpower, equipment and other resources needed to do their jobs effectively. They are overwhelmed and need immediate assistance. The dangerous situation at the border has enriched and emboldened criminal cartels and fueled record fentanyl overdoses throughout the country. As part of our commitment to ensuring a country that is safe, we must first properly fund all levels of law enforcement. Congress must also pass the HALT Fentanyl Act to ensure fentanyl and its related analogues are permanently listed as a Schedule 1 substance. In addition to stopping the supply for these illegal substances, we must also provide resources to reduce the demand side of the equation- focusing on education, prevention and ensuring access to quality behavioral health treatment. It is obvious that the drugs trafficked through do not remain in border states, like Arizona. There is an intricate and elaborate delivery system in place to quickly transport these deadly drugs to communities throughout the country; in effect making every state a border state. It will take a collaborative approach to truly turn the tides in the epidemic that is ravaging communities, like ours,\u201d said Congressman Bilirakis.\n\nFentanyl is highly addictive and inexpensive to produce, leading criminal drug networks to increasingly mix it with other illicit drugs\u2014in powder and pill form\u2014in an effort to drive addiction and attract repeat buyers. Often, the user is unaware that they are taking a product laced with a lethal substance. The DEA has determined that just 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered a lethal dose. In 2021 alone, DEA seized enough fentanyl to provide a lethal dose to every American, 7 times over.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:24:37Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bilirakis.house.gov/media/press-releases/bilirakis-leads-local-sheriffs-arizona-border-visit-discuss-how-fentanyl"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5100101009011269, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}