White House Announces New Efforts to Stop Drug Trafficking

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The White House is pushing to ban illegal drugs from entering the country as part of Overdose Awareness Week.

The government is calling for better drug detection machines and more border patrols.

“They are critical to securing our southwest border,” said Dr. Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Dr. Gupta calls on Congress to provide funds to curb the importation of illegal drugs into the country.

“President Biden and Vice President Harris know that far too many Americans understand the pain of losing a loved one to drug overdose.”

Gupta says the White House has already taken steps to combat illegal drugs at the border.

“In the last two years, we have seized more fentanyl than in the previous five years combined,” Gupta said.

As the White House moves to ramp up efforts at the southern border, conservative groups blame China for the deadly drugs.

“While many Americans could and should rightly do so, or in Mexico, and hold those cartels accountable for their illegal actions, we must not lose sight of the fact that the Chinese Communist Party is fueling this more than many realize,” said Andrew Harding of the Heritage Foundation.

Andrew Harding of the Heritage Foundation says the federal government needs to take a tougher approach to China because they are the source.

“We really need to take the stick now and finally use it,” Harding said.

Harding says this means imposing financial sanctions on China and taking action against those who profit from the suffering taking place in the US.