WYOMING — On April 19, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Republican colleagues in reintroducing legislation to add drug smuggling as an additional basis for Title 42 immigration enforcement authority.
This act to stop fentanyl distribution comes as Wyoming has been experiencing an increase in fentanyl overdoses in recent years.
According to a press release from Senator Lummis’ office, the Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act aims to preserve the authority for border patrol agents to remove illegal border crossers and stop drug trafficking that’s fueling the overdose epidemic in Wyoming.
“Title 42 was created to help prevent the spread of disease, and we are experiencing an epidemic of deaths here in Wyoming and across the country due to this incredibly deadly drug,” Senator Lummis said.
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has also taken a stand against fentanyl distribution and warned residents about the increasing amount of overdoses.
In 2021, Wyoming recorded 106 fentanyl-related deaths and Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers seized 24.5 pounds of fentanyl. The Wyoming Highway Patrol is now increasing its resources to combat fentanyl trafficking with 10 canine teams trained to detect the drug, according to the Senator’s press release.
In March 2022, Local News 8 reported that Teton County was leading Wyoming state for deaths due to fentanyl.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has found that of the fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills analyzed in 2022, six out of 10 contained a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can call the free 24/7 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
