Joco Today

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) has issued a statement in response to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment. The report identifies fentanyl as the deadliest drug threat ever faced by the United States, attributing nearly 38,000 American deaths to it in just the first half of 2023. The assessment also highlights states with significant Mexican cartel presence, including Kansas.

"The DEA’s 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment only confirms what we have been saying – there is an alarming increase in the presence of illicit drugs in the United States,” stated Senator Marshall. He expressed concern over the control exerted by cartels at the southern border and criticized President Biden for not taking adequate measures to curb the influx of fentanyl.

"We will continue to see an uptick in fentanyl poisoning across America. Already, over 300 Americans die every day of fentanyl poisoning. Enough is enough,” he added.

The senator further criticized President Biden's handling of border security, stating that while "President Biden sits back and lets our adversaries exploit our open border," his primary focus remains on ensuring America's safety and security.

"Now is the time to pass legislation that would crack down on illicit drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine, and ‘halt the deadliest drug crisis the United States has ever faced,’" Senator Marshall said.

He is currently leading and cosponsoring several bills aimed at strengthening federal agency efforts – including those of the DEA – to address this escalating crisis.