President Joe Biden is focusing on proposing new measures to crack down on fentanyl trafficking as he approaches the final six months of his presidency. These proposals include creating new drug classifications for fentanyl-related substances, enhanced penalties for traffickers, improved tracking of small-dollar fentanyl shipments at the border, and establishing a nationwide registry for pill press and tableting machines. These efforts could help Vice President Kamala Harris as she campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Biden also called for sweeping reforms to the Supreme Court and a constitutional amendment to prevent presidents from being immune to criminal prosecution. The proposed changes would classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 drugs, leading to stricter penalties for those involved with fentanyl. The administration aims to disrupt the supply chain of fentanyl through increased information sharing between intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
The Biden administration has been working with Mexico and China to combat the flow of fentanyl into the United States. Recently, federal authorities arrested individuals associated with the Sinaloa Cartel, a major fentanyl trafficking organization. While there has been a slight decline in fentanyl-related deaths in recent years, the administration is focused on addressing the growing crisis. Biden’s push for new measures comes as drug overdoses from synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, have been on the rise in the past decade.
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