President Joe Biden has called for larger penalties for drug smugglers and stricter controls on pill presses and importers.
New Measures To Deal With The U.S. Opioid Crisis
A senior administration official said that this initiative is part of fresh measures to deal with the U.S. opioid crisis.
Illicit fentanyl remains a potent issue for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is poised to clinch the Democratic nomination for the November 5 election.
Fentanyl Overdoses Have Claimed Many Lives
Fentanyl overdoses have surged to become the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 45.
More than 1,07,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2023.
How The Lethal Narcotic Is Trafficked Into The U.S.?
The lethal narcotic is trafficked into the United States, often across the porous U.S.-Mexico border.
It is easily manufactured from chemicals that are sourced in China.
Biden Asks Federal Agencies To Disrupt Trafficking
Biden said he was directing federal agencies to do more on intelligence-gathering and coordination to disrupt trafficking.
An official who declined to be named said that federal agencies will also be required to work with the private sector on counter-narcotics.
How Will The Legislation Help?
He will ask Congress to pass legislation to create a nationwide registry of pill press machinery.
In addition, the legislation would raise penalties on traffickers and regulate some fentanyl-related substances more stringently.
It would require importers of small packages to provide more information to customs officials.
Time To Act And Unite
Biden stated that this was a time to act and stand together for all those we have lost, and lives we can still save.
Biden To Cooperate With Beijing On Counter-Narcotics
In order to thaw icy relations with the Chinese President, Biden has agreed to cooperate with Beijing on counter-narcotics.
A delegation of senior Chinese officials was set to meet the Biden administration on Wednesday.
Chinese Delegation
The delegation will continue conversations on increasing controls on fentanyl chemicals and restricting financing for the drug trade in China.
“We are well aware that there is a lot more that the PRC needs to do,” said the official.
Biden And Harris Face Criticism
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has criticised Biden and Harris, over the issue of irregular crossings along the Mexican border.
Biden administration officials have pushed back on the criticism.
They blame Republicans for killing a bipartisan deal that would have increased border patrol resources to check drug trafficking.
(With Inputs From Reuters)
