Newhouse, Fentanyl Task Force Release Final Report

This week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) led the Central Washington Fentanyl Task Force in a meeting and released the taskforce's final reportoutlining guidance to help mitigate the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

"We are proud to release a report which outlines our comprehensive work over the last year and a half to help stop the influence of the fentanyl crisis in our community," said Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse continued, "From individuals who have firsthand experience in substance recovery, law enforcement officers, tribal representatives, and medical professionals, this task force represents all of us who have been impacted by this issue in one way or another. I am proud of the work we have accomplished."

Meeting on a quarterly basis, the task force identified four categories to assess the problem and execute solutions: data, funding, policy, and education, at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels.

In each meeting, the task force compiled datasets to assess current trends of the crisis, mapped out funding mechanisms and resources available, discussed current laws and available programs, both for enforcement as well as prevention and treatment services, and finally, contributed to the all-hands-on-deck education campaign in Central Washington to combat this crisis.

This reportreflects the task force's collective efforts, recommendations, and conclusions.

Background

Enough fentanyl was interdicted by U.S. law enforcement last year to kill every American 66 times, 97% of it originates from China, 90% of it enters through U.S. Ports of Entry by vehicle, and 17% of meth, 41% of cocaine, 72% of heroin, and 74% of xylazine tested positive for fentanyl. The Task Force has evidence that shows 7 out of 10 fentanyl pills off the street in the U.S. possess a potentially deadly dose.

The fentanyl, mental health, and substance use disorder crisis is a multifaceted problem that requires all members of the community, both in the public and private sectors, to bring together their expertise, perspectives, and efforts to execute tangible and attainable solutions. The Central Washington Fentanyl Task Force was formed to bring together all voices of the community to discuss the complex problem of the fentanyl crisis and identify and implement attainable solutions.

Watch the full announcement here(link is external).

View the full report here.

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Issues:Fentanyl Crisis