Barr, McCaul hear about importance of homeland security in fighting Kentucky’s opioid crisis

Local law enforcement officials told U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) that border security is paramount in tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse throughout Kentucky, which has the third-highest opioid overdose death rate in the nation.

Kentucky “is particularly devastated by the flow of deadly, illicit drugs into our communities,” said Rep. Barr, who met with Rep. McCaul and local law enforcers during an Oct. 17 roundtable held in his home state’s sixth congressional district to discuss homeland security issues.

“Throughout this crisis, I have heard from countless law enforcement officials about the need for stronger border security to better control this epidemic and save Kentucky lives,” Rep. Barr said. “I was honored to welcome my friend and colleague Chairman McCaul to the sixth district to give us both the unique opportunity to hear from those on the front lines of this crisis, and I would like to especially thank him for his leadership and work to keep our communities and country safe.”

Law enforcement officials from several counties in Barr’s district participated in the event, according to the congressman’s office.

Rep. McCaul said that he’s “been working tirelessly to improve our border security so we can eliminate the broad range of threats facing our nation including the opioid crisis, human trafficking, gangs like MS-13, and known or suspected terrorists.”

To support such efforts, Rep. McCaul this week called for improved collaboration between local and federal law enforcement, as well as strengthened bonds with private-sector non-profit organizations working in local communities.

Congress also should “enact many of the bold policies we have been advancing in the House,” McCaul added, noting that “Congressman Barr has been a strong proponent of this and I want to thank him for hosting me in Kentucky’s Sixth District.”