U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) Tuesday joined with law enforcement to urge the passage of the FEND OFF Fentanyl Act. The legislation, which is aimed at cracking down on the smuggling into the U.S. of dangerous drugs, including the synthetic opioid fentanyl, passed the Senate last week, as part the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act. In 2021, about two-thirds of all overdose deaths in the U.S. involved fentanyl.
“By empowering the federal government to fully prosecute the manufacturers, suppliers and smugglers of this poison, it’ll better safeguard American communities,” Menendez said. “And by targeting fentanyl and its revenue streams, the bill will protect national security while also giving domestic law enforcement the tools it needs to meet this issue head-on.”
“Each day, eight families lose a loved one in New Jersey to the fentanyl crisis,” said Angelo Valente, the executive director of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “We need to continue our focus on education and prevention efforts, along with treatment options and collaboration with our prescribers and law enforcement. The Fend Off Fentanyl Act is crucial to supporting these efforts.”
