Davids Announces New Actions on Fentanyl Crisis

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that she is joining the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus and supporting legislative action to curb the threat of fentanyl in Kansas communities, including by improving detection practices at U.S. borders and ports. Earlier this month, Davids also called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make Narcan available to all users without prescription. Yesterday, they answered her call, approving Narcan for over-the-counter sales.

"While the rising threat of fentanyl is endangering our communities, there are actions we can take right now to help keep our communities safe," said Davids. "I'm glad the FDA answered our call to make Narcan available without prescription, which will save lives in Kansas and across the country. I'll continue working to ensure law enforcement officials, schools, and health care professionals have the resources needed to fight this crisis head-on."

Earlier this month, Davids joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to urge the FDA to take up expert recommendations and make Narcan, a common naloxone nasal spray, available without a prescription. After the FDA answered Davids' call to approve Narcan for over-the-counter use, the drug will soon be sold directly to consumers in drug stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and online. As a member of the Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, Davids will continue to coordinate with members from both sides of the aisle to combat the nationwide spike in fentanyl-related overdoses and drug poisonings.

Additionally, Davids joined 32 Republicans and Democrats in Congress to request funding for the purchase of 300 new handheld mass spectrometry trace level chemical detection devices. These devices, used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other federal agencies at ports of entry including airports, seaports, border crossings, and international mail facilities, can detect the presence of even the smallest amount of fentanyl in seized substances.

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Rep. Sharice Davids with local, state, and federal law enforcement officers during her fentanyl summit in August.

Last August, Davids hosted a summit with local, state, and federal law enforcement on the challenges they face handling the fentanyl epidemic. During the summit, law enforcement expressed concern over the high cost of purchasing and handling naloxone kits, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medication designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. Street-level personnel who work in pairs are often issued a single dose each to administer for multiple overdoses, and these kits are often stored in vehicles, risking their effectiveness due to irregular temperatures. Summit participants also noted technology needs at borders and ports to more effectively stop fentanyl before it enters the country.

Davids has been an active supporter of enhanced technology at our borders and ports to protect against fentanyl, sponsoring the bipartisan Integrating New Technologies to Empower Law Enforcement at Our Borders Act to promote research and implementation of technologies like trace level chemical detection devices. Recently, Davids also supported legislation to permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs, ensuring law enforcement can keep them off the streets.

Davids has worked to promote better prevention and understanding of the opioid epidemic, including leading a bill to educate students on the dangers of misusing opioids and helping pass legislation last year to create a public awareness campaign about synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Her support of the legislation came after meeting with Libby Davis, a Johnson County resident, whose son passed away last year after taking a counterfeit pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl.

Community members looking to learn more about how to keep their families safe can visit FirstCallKC, a local organization working to reduce the impact of alcohol, drugs, and addiction in the Kansas City area. Resources and prevention services for individuals, families, schools, and others are available on their website.