(Atlantic) U.S. Representative Zach Nunn hosted an information session at Cass Health in Atlantic on the opioid crisis in rural Iowa.
More than 70,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 were attributed to synthetic opioids other than methadone, primarily fentanyl. In fact, fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18-45.
Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue said when fentanyl came to Cass County, it came hard. Fentanyl resulted in one death in Atlantic and one death in a neighboring town and now five individuals are spending time in Federal prison for their role in distributing the drugs.
Derric Kidd spoke about the loss of his 17-year-old son Sebastian due to a counterfeit Percocet purchased through Snapchat.
Kidd said the crisis transcends a mere drug problem. He said our mental health epidemic fueled by grief, trauma and depression demands urgent dialog.
Zach Nunn said the first thing they have done at the Congressional level is the Opioid Reversal Medication Act.
Nunn said the production of fentanyl is occurring in China.
Nunn said when 30,000 pills are found on a highway in Iowa, that is a weapon of mass destruction.
Nunn said he has passed H.R.2, which he believes is the most comprehensive border security bill. But, he said it doesn’t matter how many laws he passes in Congress if the administration is not going to enforce the law and follow through on the commitment to secure the southern border.
