Today, Representatives Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) and Mark Alford (MO-4) held a public forum focused on the nationwide fentanyl crisis and shared remarks as members of the panel of dignitaries. 

“I’m focused on cutting off the cartels’ access to the substances – often called precursors – they need to make fentanyl. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that those precursors are made in China under the protection of the Chinese Communist Party,” Rep. Luetkemeyer says.  “The first hearing I held this Congress as Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance and International Financial Institutions was on the CCP’s role in fueling the fentanyl crisis.”  

 "Today's event is a huge step towards securing our community from the dangers of deadly fentanyl. Right now, our southern border is wide open; leading to the facilitation of one of the most illicit narcotics our country has ever seen," Rep. Alford said. "It is up to each of us to make sure our neighborhoods are educated and recognize the signs of a fentanyl poisoning. I was proud to join Congressman Luetkemeyer today in Columbia and look forward to continuing these forums all over the state."

The event, taking place on the University of Missouri’s campus, also featured Master Sergeant Greg Primm from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Drug Task Force and Mizzou President Mun Choi.

Seven advisory panelists joined to share their experience related to the crisis, including Amber Coleman and Anthony Mingo (Washington County Ambulance Service), Jennifer Maddow (Columbia Public Schools Health Director), State Senator Caleb Rowden, State Representative Sherri Gallick, Sarah Eager (Advocate), and Jake Pollard (Full Circle Preventative Services Program). 

Background: Fentanyl is an extremely addictive drug. Some overdose victims take it mistakenly when it’s laced into other pills, or they encounter it accidentally on surfaces. Last year, the DEA seized enough fentanyl to kill every American. Just two milligrams— the size of ten to fifteen grains of table salt— is enough to take an adult life. Sadly, that same year, fentanyl-related deaths of children under 5 years old spiked 500%. 

The cartels driving fentanyl into our communities operate a $13 billion sophisticated business model intertwined with human trafficking, weapon smuggling, and money laundering. China has played an instrumental role in the equation, supplying the ingredients to create fentanyl and extracting money from United States citizens.