The official toxicology report has revealed that Andrea Cahill’s son died at the age of 19 from an accidental fentanyl overdose. However, Cahill strongly believes that it was a case of poisoning and holds the cartels responsible. According to her, the governments of Mexico and China should be held accountable for the drug’s influx into the United States. As an independent voter who usually supports Republicans, Cahill desires a president who prioritizes this issue. She expresses a sense of apathy and feels that nobody cares.
Republican presidential candidates are now striving to convince people like Cahill that they share her sense of urgency. Ron DeSantis includes discussions about fentanyl in every speech, pledging to deploy the military to Mexico to target cartels. Nikki Haley has promised to send special operations forces across the border, while Chris Christie advocates for better access to treatment. Former President Donald J. Trump, although offering few specific solutions, has tapped into the desire of victims’ families to be acknowledged, likening deaths from the drug to casualties of war.
During the recent debate, the candidates connected the crisis to immigration and foreign policy, emphasizing the devastating impact of fentanyl. New Hampshire, a state that can make or break presidential campaigns, has been greatly affected by this urgent health crisis. Opioid overdose deaths reached a four-year high last year, although slightly lower than the peak in 2017, according to state data. The majority of these deaths were caused by fentanyl.
However, truly connecting with voters and convincing them that help is on the way has proven to be challenging. In numerous interviews with individuals on the front lines of the fight against fentanyl, a pervasive sense of abandonment is evident. Many believe that the federal government has done too little to prevent the epidemic and continues to be uninvolved in controlling it. The candidates’ proposals of blockades and military intervention are met with cynicism and a deep distrust in the government’s ability to find solutions.
Shayne Bernier, a former opioid addict who is now involved in opening a sober-living home, expresses skepticism about any potential improvements, regardless of whether it’s Trump or Biden in power. He believes that politicians only talk about the issue during elections and then disappear. Despite the promises made by politicians to address the crisis, the situation remains unchanged.
Five years ago, Trump promised to secure the border to prevent drug influx, but the drugs continued to flow in, with fentanyl replacing heroin as the primary concern. The supply of fentanyl predominantly enters the United States through legal ports of entry, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, with U.S. citizens smuggling the drugs. Keith Howard, who runs Hope for New Hampshire Recovery, emphasizes the importance of mental health support, well-paying jobs, and long-term treatment programs, rather than solely focusing on border control.
Chris Christie, who chaired Trump’s special commission to combat the opioid crisis, acknowledged that many of the recommendations made by the commission in 2017 were not implemented. He blames the pandemic and the lack of specific policies and programs by the Trump administration. Christie supports sending National Guard troops to legal ports of entry but clarifies that it won’t completely solve the problem. On the other hand, President Biden has focused on expanding enforcement and improving treatment, including the approval of over-the-counter sales of Narcan, a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdoses.
Victoria Sullivan, a former Republican state lawmaker, believes that Biden’s approach has failed. She argues for more aggressive interventions, accessible medical treatment, strong families, and religious institutions. Sullivan recognizes the contradiction in many Republicans’ views on the drug crisis, as she advocates for increased spending on rehabilitation programs despite her conservative, small government views. She has supported Trump in the past but is also impressed by Nikki Haley’s commitment to addressing the issue. Haley hosted a discussion at the sober-living home and promised to take action against China’s role in funneling chemicals used to produce fentanyl.