Fentanyl

Joe Lancaster | 10.2.2024 12:40 PM

Republicans and Democrats alike agree that the U.S. should do something about fentanyl, the synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than heroin. It is often found mixed into street drugs, but not because addicts are clamoring for it: Rather, fentanyl is cheaper and easier to manufacture and smuggle, making it an attractive alternative when prohibitionist governments crack down on pain pills.

Unfortunately, neither of the major party seems willing to either admit the government's own role in making the drug so dangerous, or to pursue an alternative to classic war on drugs policies.

This much was evident from an early answer at last night's vice presidential debate between Sen. J.D. Vance (R–Ohio) and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Vance charged, "said that she wanted to undo all of Donald Trump's border policies…and what it's meant is that a lot of fentanyl is coming into our country. I had a mother who struggled with opioid addiction and has gotten clean. I don't want people who are struggling with addiction to be deprived of their second chance........

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