East Idaho Times

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered remarks at a hearing titled “Front Lines of the Fentanyl Crisis: Supporting Communities and Combating Addiction through Prevention and Treatment.”

As prepared for delivery, Crapo stated, "The fentanyl crisis has devastated communities across the country. Far too many families have experienced the pain of losing a loved one from this deadly substance, and the threat it poses to our communities and neighborhoods cannot be overstated."

Crapo highlighted alarming statistics from Idaho, noting that overdose deaths involving fentanyl increased nearly fourteen-fold between 2017 and 2022.

"It is important to note that this crisis, and the uncontrolled flow of fentanyl into our communities, has not occurred in a vacuum," he said. He traced the origins of the current crisis back to an increase in prescription opioid use over the past two decades. Congress had previously taken steps to reduce prescription opioid use and expand access to treatment.

"In recent years, as prescription opioids have become harder to obtain, illicit fentanyl, a cheap, widely available and potent drug, entered the drug supply," Crapo explained. This shift has made overdoses more unpredictable and deadly.

Crapo cited the Drug Enforcement Agency's Administrator who called fentanyl "the deadliest drug threat our nation has ever faced." He emphasized that while prevention and treatment are crucial focuses of the hearing, addressing fentanyl’s supply chain is also essential.

"It is well documented that China is a primary source of fentanyl precursors and analogues," Crapo said. He mentioned his bipartisan efforts pressing China on its role in the crisis during a trip last year. These precursor chemicals are often shipped directly to the United States or Mexico-based drug cartels before being smuggled across borders.

"Any conversation about illicit fentanyl must acknowledge the role of this Administration’s porous border policies," he asserted. Crapo argued that bolstering healthcare services for treatment and prevention cannot fully address the crisis without eliminating its supply.

He pointed out bipartisan efforts by the Committee to expand access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment through various policies including parts of the Better Act signed into law recently. These measures include permanent Medicaid coverage for medication-assisted treatment among others.

"I welcome continued consideration of policies that improve care provision," Crapo added, emphasizing telehealth's transformative impact on mental health care availability.

"This Committee has made a lot of progress in expanding access to care," he concluded. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on targeted policies that can make a difference and address the root causes of the fentanyl crisis."

Crapo thanked witnesses for their contributions: "Thank you to our witnesses for being here today, and for all of the work that you do in your communities."

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