Donalds, Scott Believe Fentanyl Epidemic Caused by 'Open Border Policies'

Just a couple weeks ago, The Floridian posted a story regarding the fentanyl epidemic and Sen. Rick Scott’s (R-FL) plan to fix it. The introduction of fentanyl into the U.S. primarily through the southern border has turned into one of the greatest crises this nation has ever seen.

One way or another, it seems as though everyone knows a horrible story about a fentanyl overdose or near-death event involving the drug. Sen. Scott’s plan calls for the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reform its practices every 3 years to improve and provide a report to the Committee on Homeland Security in both the House and the Senate.

“For too long, the crushing heartbreak felt from losing a loved one to a drug overdose, and the opioids that cause them, have plagued American families. This epidemic, fueled by the massive amounts of fentanyl flowing illegally over our southern border into our communities, has only grown worse under Joe Biden’s failed open border policies," stated Sen. Scott.

Moreover, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) added his name to the conversation about the highly addictive opioid. His theory is that the epidemic is caused by the “open border policies” put forth by the Biden administration. He stated in a tweet

“Fentanyl overdoses are the number one cause of death for Americans 18 to 45. This epidemic is killing loved ones in red states and blue states. It’s indiscriminate. What’s the cause? Biden and the Democrats' open border policies. Republicans are the party of border security," stated Rep. Donalds.

In 2021, the United States saw a huge leap in fentanyl deaths, from 71,238 deaths to 57,834 deaths in 2020. There were nearly twice the amount of fentanyl deaths than methamphetamine deaths in 2021.