Sen. David Hogue, Minot

I wanted to thank The Minot Daily News for keeping your readers informed and maintaining the public spotlight on the proliferation of illegal sales and distribution of fentanyl in northwest North Dakota. The growing problem has largely escaped regular public scrutiny, and your persistence in reporting on those individuals who are selling this dangerous drug in our region is an important public service. I am convinced regular focus on this scourge is part of addressing the problem.

How big a problem is fentanyl? Well, we’ve been presented with data that indicates overdose deaths from fentanyl laced drugs now exceed deaths for motor vehicle accidents. Fentanyl overdose is now reported as the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. The fatality rate has increased 94% since 2019. In North Dakota, we suffered 76 overdose deaths in 2019, but that tragic number jumped to 131 overdose deaths in 2021 and 128 overdose deaths in 2022.

This is alarming data that should stir federal and state government to action.

Every community in North Dakota has tragic overdoses that are being reported, with many resulting in death of our young people. This month a father of a two year old is making an initial court appearance for enabling a fentanyl overdose by his two year old daughter. Over time, the volume and repetition of these reported cases can desensitize us to the severity of this destructive plague.

The ND legislature is aware and is trying to address the problem. For starters, the legislature passed SB 2248, which provides for increased penalties for intermediate drug sellers who are once removed from an illegal sale transaction. Directing the criminal justice system to reach up the chain of illicit drug distribution is part of addressing the problem. SB 2248 also provided for reporting of fentanyl overdoses and pushing the data out to the public using a social media campaign.

There is more to be done, however. There is a growing belief by many state legislatures that control of the southern border is a priority strategy for controlling the flow of fentanyl and other narcotics into the United States. Further, given the failure of the federal government to reign in the flow of fentanyl from the southern border, non-border states must be willing to step up and come to the aid of Texas and Arizona, both of which have previously declared being overwhelmed by the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs.

We should continue to support use of our North Dakota National Guard and other resources to help secure the southern border. For over two years now, there have been over 150,000 apprehensions on the southern border every month. Because the border agents confiscate only a fraction of fentanyl that is illegally smuggled across the border, the seizure of increased quantities of fentanyl at the border informs border agents that more is getting through.

Reducing fentanyl drug overdoses cannot be accomplished with a single policy initiative. But criminal justice reform, increasing public education and awareness, and controlling our southern border are important components to reduction. Thank you for keeping the spotlight on the organized fentanyl distributors.