Law Enforcement, Leaders Discuss Next Steps in Fight Against Fentanyl

Last week, Representative Sharice Davids met with local, state, and federal law enforcement leaders at a summit focused on the growing threat of fentanyl, the leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S. Rep. Davids received updates on current efforts and discussed challenges, tools, and long-term solutions with officials.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine. It is often mixed into fake prescription pills such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or Adderall. Overdose deaths have fallen 24 percent from September 2023 to September 2024, and Rep. Davids said she is committed to building on that progress through action in Congress.

As a member of the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, Rep. Davids has helped bring together law enforcement, health care workers, and educators across Kansas. She has also taken steps in Washington, including pushing for naloxone (Narcan) to be available over the counter, securing nearly $16 million to help law enforcement fight fentanyl, supporting new detection tools at U.S. ports, and backing a national awareness campaign.

The summit included law enforcement from across Kansas and federal agencies. Families can find safety resources on the DEA Kansas City website.