Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, a prominent figure in the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed the pressing issue of fentanyl during a recent hearing titled "The Poisoning of America: Fentanyl, its Analogues, and the Need for Permanent Class Scheduling." Durbin highlighted several concerns regarding current government actions that may hinder efforts to combat this crisis.

Durbin stated, “In just a decade, this synthetic opioid [fentanyl] has emerged as the deadliest drug in American history. All it takes is two milligrams—that’s a fraction of the size of a penny—to cause an overdose.” He emphasized that fentanyl's low cost leads dealers to mix lethal amounts into other drugs without buyers' knowledge.

He noted some progress in addressing the crisis: “There is an overdose crisis in America, but we’ve learned that evidence-based solutions reduce deaths. In fact, in 2023, overdose deaths actually decreased for the first time since 2018 – going down by more than 10 percent.”

Durbin also pointed out how social media platforms are used to sell fentanyl to minors: “We must also address how this poison gets into the hands of the most vulnerable people in America—our kids. Too often, fentanyl is peddled in the open on some of the world’s largest social media platforms.”

Highlighting legislative efforts, Durbin referenced previous bipartisan bills aiming to hold tech companies accountable. “Last Congress, the Judiciary Committee advanced several bipartisan bills... One of those bills is the Cooper Davis Act... In the coming days, I will join Senators Marshall, Shaheen, and others to reintroduce what will now be called the Cooper Davis and Devon Norring Act.”

He expressed hope for accountability from these companies: “And I hope that Congress will finally – finally – allow these companies to be sued by their victims’ families so they can be held accountable in a court of law.”

Discussing broader issues related to firearms trafficking across borders contributing to cartel violence and drug smuggling into the U.S., Durbin criticized proposed federal funding freezes and agent reallocations away from combating such crimes.

“I’m also gravely concerned about... mass removals of senior career law enforcement at the Department of Justice and FBI,” he said. He advocated for comprehensive bipartisan strategies focusing on prevention and resource allocation.

Durbin concluded with a call for unity: “Getting fentanyl off the streets is a herculean task that will require us all to come together and work across the aisle.”

Recently, Durbin collaborated with U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro on introducing legislation aimed at curbing firearm trafficking from America to Mexico. This initiative seeks to address gun-related violence linked with narcotics smuggling operations.