Statement by Former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh on U.S. Department of Justice Efforts to Address the Opioid Crisis
Former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh today released the following statement:
“Attorney General Sessions’ announcement Wednesday that the Justice Department will allocate significant resources to help address the opioid epidemic highlights the critical role that the law enforcement community is playing in saving lives. As he reminded us in his comments, an American dies every nine minutes from a drug overdose. The availability of new tools to help law enforcement at the community level is a significant step forward.
“This initiative is particularly timely as America faces an influx of imported and illegal fentanyl, which is compounding the opioid crisis and has been found in more than 40 states. Earlier this year, my team and I conducted an in-depth investigation into how current drug importation proposals in Congress would impact both law enforcement and their ability to protect public health. Without question, such proposals would shift the cost to law enforcement and put Americans at risk.
“The response to the opioid crisis represents the type of proactive approach that the Justice Department is taking. We cannot let our guard down at a time when fentanyl is killing Americans who fall victim to a global counterfeit drug trade. Rather than pursue dangerous importation proposals, let’s make a point to rally behind our nation’s law enforcement community in keeping the public safe from harm.”
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171201005440/en/
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