President Biden is proposing new measures to crack down on fentanyl trafficking as he enters the final six months of his presidency. These proposals include classifying fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 drugs, increasing penalties for traffickers, enhancing border officials’ ability to track shipments, and creating a registry for pill press machines. These efforts aim to curb the rising deaths from synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, which have been a significant issue over the past decade.
Biden’s push for stricter regulations on fentanyl could help Vice President Kamala Harris as she campaigns for the likely Democratic presidential nomination. The president has also called for reforms to the Supreme Court and a constitutional amendment to ensure presidents can be prosecuted, addressing concerns about the public’s trust in the highest court.
Efforts to disrupt the supply chain of fentanyl and synthetic opioids will be intensified through greater information sharing between intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The administration has been working with Mexico and China to tackle the flow of fentanyl into the US.
Recent arrests of key figures in fentanyl trafficking, including Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia and the son of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, show progress in dismantling major trafficking organizations like the Sinaloa Cartel. Deaths from fentanyl and synthetic opioids have slightly decreased in recent years, but there is still a significant impact on public health.
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