Addressing fentanyl-related deaths focus of Calvert’s new bipartisan caucus

U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and his fellow co-chairs on March 10 unveiled the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus.

“This is not a partisan issue — it’s a national crisis,” Rep. Calvert said on Friday. “I’m hopeful that by working in a bipartisan manner, the Fentanyl Prevention Caucus can help educate Americans on the dangers of fentanyl and provide real solutions that will stop the destruction of this deadly drug.”

The congressman, who is a co-chair of the caucus along with U.S. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA), will coordinate with members from both sides of the aisle to combat the nationwide spike in fentanyl-related overdoses and drug poisonings, according to information provided by the lawmakers.

According to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 107,375 people in the United States who died of drug overdoses and drug poisonings during 2021-2022. Of these deaths, 67 percent involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl, the CDC said. 

Rep. Calvert and his colleagues will work with federal and state law enforcement on fighting the crisis, and also plan to help educate the public and Congress — in cooperation with prevention and awareness groups — about how to better understand the ongoing threat of fentanyl in communities across America, the information says. 

Among the 24 other members serving on the Fentanyl Prevention Caucus are U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Bob Latta (R-OH), and David Valadao (R-CA). 

“Fentanyl is devastating the lives of Americans in every corner of our country,” Rep. Calvert said. “With fentanyl-related deaths climbing every year, we need new solutions to stop this alarming trend.”