Under Abbott's watch, the state has shown little appetite for fostering efforts to prevent overdose deaths. GregAbbott Texas fentanyl addiction harmreduction SanAntonio SATX TexasGOP Republicans
Gov. Greg Abbott looks at a bag of fentanyl during a photo op earlier this year.
The Republican governor's focus on fentanyl as he faces a tough reelection fight is understandable. Synthetic opiates, including fentanyl, were responsible for two-thirds of U.S. overdose deaths during the 12 months that ended this March, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 90% of fentanyl seizures occur at either legal crossing points or interior vehicle checkpoints, according to the libertarian think tank's report, and 86.3% of convicted traffickers of the drug last year were U.S. citizens.
Multiple media investigations have since poked holes in those claims. In one of the most glaring examples, Abbott last year lauded Operation Lone Star for seizing 887 pounds of fentanyl, but a review by ProPublica and the Texas Tribune showed that less than 20% of that total was confiscated in counties involved in Abbott's border initiative.
Supporters of the program have argued that the state should be putting its own money into the program given its potential to curtail overdoses amid the crisis. The easy-to-use strips allow addicts to check whether the drugs they're using contain the synthetic opiate, potentially staving off deadly outcomes.
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