Arizona leaders discuss border security, opioid epidemic in panel

PHOENIX — Arizona leaders have reached across the aisle to prioritize public safety when it comes to border security and the opioid epidemic.

Arizona Congresswoman Martha McSally hosted a Border Security Subcommittee field hearing to examine the opioid epidemic in the United States and specifically in Arizona.

“One hundred fifteen Americans die every single day from an opioid overdose and right here in Arizona there has been at least 800 lives lost last year alone,” McSally said.

The discussion called for better funding, higher security, and more efforts focused on helping recover from addiction.

Arizona Democratic Congressman Raúl Grijalva attended the event and made it clear his district needs an upgrade when it comes to border security.

“Ports of entry where 80 percent of drug seizures have occurred have been historically underfunded,” he said.

Enforcement was not the only issued discussed. There was bipartisan agreement that the opioid epidemic needs more than just law enforcement’s involvement.

“We must also tackle the crisis with treatment and recover options that help restore individuals to health,” McSally said.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey was included in the panel of witnesses to discuss the Opioid epidemic, its toll on Arizonans and where Arizona stands today.

“To date, the border strike force has kept 15.3 million kits of heroine off our streets,” Ducey said.

Several different factors were discussed regarding the Opioid epidemic and how stronger border security will only help reduce addiction in Arizona, but Governor Ducey wanted to make note of all the accomplishments so far.

Although the Opioid epidemic state of emergency has been declared no more, Ducey believes the state has made progress but knows the fight remains deadly and is far from over.

“Since declaring a State of Emergency last June, we’ve come a long way,” he said. “In fact, every directive I gave in that declaration has been completed.”

The following declarations were completed, per Ducey:

– New reporting and information-sharing procedures are now codified in policy and rule.

– Almost 1,000 law enforcement officers statewide have been trained to provide naloxone.

– The state has seen a 355 percent increase in the number of naloxone doses dispensed by pharmacists to communities.

– Arizona’s health care institutions now have rules for opioid prescribing and treatment.

– Arizona Opioid Prescribing Guidelines have been updated and distributed.

– The state’s comprehensive Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act went into effect on April 26th.

– Twelve recommendations of Arizona’s Opioid Action Plan will be fully implemented by the end of June.

Ducey also thanked President Trump and his administration for sending efforts to support Arizona.

“We are grateful that the new Administration has amplified these efforts even further. President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard has brought additional boots on the ground to our border — they are needed and welcomed,” Ducey said.

“And both General John Kelly and Current DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen have not only visited our state to tour the border with me, but they have delivered on support and resources.”

Going forward, Arizona plans to implement much stricter guidelines when it comes to prescribing these highly addictive medications.

“In fact, all opioid prescription bottles in our state will now have red caps to alert patients to the high-risk of these drugs and the need to keep them away from children,” he said.

 

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