On Overdose Awareness Day Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) blasted President Biden’s border policies, which he believes are contributing to record drug overdose deaths in the U.S.
Palmer discussed the issue during one of his “Truck Talks” videos posted to social media.
On this #OverdoseAwarenessDay we are reminded of the lives lost in our communities due to deadly drugs like fentanyl. We need to secure our southern border to prevent more of these dangerous drugs from flowing into our country. I hope you join me on this #TruckTalk to discuss. pic.twitter.com/nxrWtpHAMQ
— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) August 31, 2022
“Last year it’s reported that over 170,000 people died from drug overdose deaths,” Palmer said. “The leading cause of death for people 18 to 45 is now drug overdoses.”
The congressman said increased overdoses are partially caused by the current crisis at the southern border.
“It might seem like it’s unrelated,” he said. “But the fact that our borders are wide open is one of the reasons so many people are dying from fentanyl related deaths. Over 80% of the fentanyl that enters the United States comes across our southwestern border.”
Palmer said this is why he takes border security so seriously.
“That’s why we need to close our borders,” he said. “To protect our people. It is one thing to have anti-drug programs to try to interdict the drugs that are coming across the border, but it’s something entirely different to simply close the border and make the jobs of our drug enforcement agencies much easier, and in my opinion save the lives of thousands of Americans.”
He also pointed out that the problem seems to be much worse than when he was younger.
“I grew up in a small town,” he said, “and when I grew up, we didn’t have people dying of drug overdoses on a regular basis. So, matter of fact, I really can’t remember who died of a drug overdose. It’s not the case today.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” Weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
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