The opioid epidemic in the United States has been an issue for years now, but with the introduction of fentanyl – a powerful synthetic opioid that is estimated to be 100 times more potent than morphine – this crisis has reached unprecedented levels.
Fentanyl and its analogs are coming into our country at alarming rates and causing the deaths of thousands of Americans every year.
Our children, our families, friends, and loved ones are being taken away from us because of these powerful synthetic drugs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2020 alone, over 81,000 people died from a drug overdose – with most attributed to opioids.
However, this figure is likely an underestimate; estimates from other sources suggest that the actual number may be closer to 120,000. This means that the U.S. saw a dramatic rise in drug overdoses over the course of the year, with a staggering 20% increase in overdose deaths since 2019.
The number of children who have died from fentanyl-related overdoses is tragically on the rise. According to data from the CDC, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl rose nearly 30% among children aged 15 to 19 in 2019 compared to 2018. Additionally, the CDC found that over 2,000 children and teens aged 15 to 19 died from overdoses involving opioids during the year 2019 alone. This is an alarming statistic, as it shows that far too many young people are falling victim to the dangers of fentanyl.
When somebody dies young, they miss out on so much of what life has to offer. They don't get the opportunity to go to school, make friends, experience new places and things, and most importantly, have all the time in the world to grow up and find their place in the world. They lose out on all the joys of growing up, experiencing love and relationships, getting to know themselves and others, finding their passions and dreams, and having a real chance at living life to its fullest. No child should have to miss out on these experiences; it is heartbreaking when they do.
Parents who are responsible for their children’s overdose death should be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Drug addiction is an unfortunate reality that affects many people, but parents must take responsibility for safeguarding their children from its dangerous effects.
No matter how much pain and suffering drug addiction causes, it can never excuse taking away a child’s life. Knowing the risks of drug use and abuse, parents must take active measures to prevent such devastating tragedies from occurring. Charging and prosecuting those responsible for their children’s overdose deaths is one way to send a strong message that this irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated. It is our duty as members of society to ensure that our children are safe and protected.
This is a public health crisis that needs to be addressed, yet the Biden administration has failed to make any meaningful progress in securing the US-Mexico border. The current administration’s policies have only allowed for increased illicit drug trafficking from Central and South America, with fentanyl being one of the most dangerous substances making its way into our communities.
The US-Mexico border is the primary route for drug smuggling and human trafficking, yet there has been no real effort by the Biden administration to address this issue. It is essential that we take steps to strengthen our borders so that deadly drugs like fentanyl do not make their way into our country. We must also privately invest in prevention and education programs that can help save lives.
The crisis of fentanyl and other deadly drugs coming in from abroad is not going to be solved overnight, but we must do something now if we are to protect our children, friends, family, and loved ones. The Biden administration needs to take the lead on this issue by implementing stricter border security policies. We cannot afford to wait any longer – our lives are at stake.
We must take action now to secure our borders and prevent the influx of dangerous drugs like fentanyl from destroying more innocent lives. It is essential that we act with urgency, as the opioid epidemic continues to claim more victims every day in the United States. We cannot allow the Biden administration to continue ignoring this crisis – stronger policies must be put in place, and we need to fight for that now.
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