OPINION:
Border Patrol agents and other immigration officials are bracing for a massive influx of illegal immigration. The Biden administration has allowed Title 42, a pandemic-era policy allowing U.S. immigration authorities to expel individuals encountered at the border, to expire.
In addition to a surge of migrants, most analysts expect the expiration of Title 42 to bring a torrent of the killer drug fentanyl across our southern border.
As a father who lost a child to an overdose and a co-founder of the group Fentanyl Fathers, an organization dedicated to teaching children and students about the dangers of this drug, I consider anything that makes it easier for cartels and drug dealers to succeed here to be one of this country’s most significant concerns.
You and your family should as well.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. In 2022, it killed more Americans than drunken driving, COVID-19 and cancer combined. The drug is often used as a filler by illicit drug manufacturers. All over social media, individuals sell fake versions of Adderall, OxyContin and Percocet filled with fentanyl, and it is estimated that nearly 60% of fentanyl-laced prescription pills contain a lethal dose of the product. Children and young adults accidentally overdose by ingesting these counterfeit drugs. Often, all it takes is one to kill.
But the dangers of fentanyl are not confined to illicit pills. There is a new threat lurking in illegal, disposable, flavored vapes made in China. According to a 2022 study by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 2.5 million middle and high school students nationwide have used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, and 25% used e-cigarettes daily. Over half of the youth vapers reported using disposable e-cigarettes in 2022, almost 90% of whom reported using flavored vapes.
As is often the case with pills, there have been numerous examples of disposable vapes being laced with fentanyl, resulting in injuries to minors nationwide.
A 13-year-old in Georgia was hospitalized after unwittingly consuming fentanyl contained in a disposable flavored vape. One school district in Iowa reported in February that officials are finding “vape devices across the country are being laced with fentanyl, and local authorities have reported an increase of laced devices in the Quad Cities area.”
The FDA understands the harm these illegal flavored disposable vapes are causing to America’s youth. In late May, it added exporters of these dangerous devices to its import red list, which means the agency can detain all future shipments of these products without warning. It also issued warning letters to producers of these kid-friendly products that demanded they begin complying with federal law. Most recently, they have begun enforcement efforts against retailers and distributors.
Many public officials have similarly recognized the problem these illegal devices are causing and are working hard to remove them from the country. In February, Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Florida Democrat, introduced HR 901, legislation that would ensure enforcement against illegal flavored disposable vapes is a priority and permanently close a loophole that has allowed disposable, flavored e-cigarettes to stay on the market while cartridge-based products were removed. Twenty-three other members of Congress across the political spectrum have co-sponsored this widely supported bill.
It is encouraging to see such an aggressive federal response to this crisis, because this problem’s size is only magnifying.
All of these recent actions are good first steps, but our government leaders must act strongly against these illegal flavored disposable vape products that can imprison our youth with lifelong addictions. In 1999, there were 409 overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl. In 2021, there were 67,325. According to the National Safety Council, the deaths attributed to fentanyl overdoes increased 26% from 2020 to 2021.
As our children continue to obtain illegal, disposable vapes, they are at heightened risk of unknowingly consuming fentanyl and other illegal drugs. The Biden administration and the FDA are moving in the right direction on illegal flavored disposable vape products, and now must finish the job. It is the only right and just thing to do to protect America’s youth.
• Greg Swan is a co-founder of Fentanyl Fathers, an organization dedicated to establishing a world where no adolescent succumbs to fentanyl poisoning or overdose by raising awareness in America.
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