Fentanyl Crisis

Communities across Central Washington have been devastated by the epidemic of synthetic opioids like fentanyl—the leading cause of death for people ages 18-45 in the United States.

Weak border policies and increased attempts at discussing the drug have made clear the urgent need for resources and policies that keep this fatal substance out of our communities. 

In 2023 I launched the Central Washington Fentanyl Taskforce to pool the expertise of our community members to combat the escalating crisis. As a working group of individuals fighting fentanyl on the front lines in every sector, the taskforce executes well-informed initiatives aimed at reducing the threat fentanyl poses to our communities. 

I have also introduced the Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act or SAFE Act to permanently schedule all fentanyl-related substances to Schedule I and ensure law enforcements has the resources they need to keep it off the streets and out of our neighborhoods.