As San Francisco faces a devastating fentanyl crisis, President Biden recently addressed the issue during his meetings with the Presidents of China and Mexico. Fentanyl-related deaths in San Francisco are on track to surpass the numbers from 2022, with the drug being the primary cause. Shockingly, about two people die every day from a fentanyl overdose, and the latest figures from the medical examiner show that 83% of overdose deaths this year can be attributed to fentanyl.
According to San Francisco Supervisor Matt Dorsey, the fentanyl crisis is one of the worst public health calamities the city has faced since the AIDS crisis. He emphasizes that the city is likely to surpass a record number of drug overdose deaths, losing an average of two people per day.
President Biden spoke about the fentanyl crisis during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, where he made it a priority to discuss the issue with the Presidents of China and Mexico. He aimed to accelerate efforts and deliver real results to combat the devastating consequences caused by fentanyl.
After the meetings, President Biden announced the outcomes. With regard to China, he mentioned that he and President Xi took a critical step in resuming counter-narcotics cooperation between the two countries. In 2019, China stopped direct shipments of fentanyl to the United States. However, the drug trade has evolved, shifting from finished fentanyl to fentanyl components such as chemicals and pill pressers. These components are shipped with limited controls from China to the Western Hemisphere.
President Biden also discussed his meeting with Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, expressing hope for disruptions in the trafficking of fentanyl. He emphasized the commitment to expanding law enforcement operations and intelligence sharing between the two countries to better disrupt the flow of the drug.
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita, echoed the importance of addressing the issue during her visit to the Tenderloin neighborhood, a fentanyl hotspot in the city. She emphasized the need for results in discussions with China and Mexico, as the ingredients come from China, the process is conducted in Mexico, and the sales occur on the streets of San Francisco.
Efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis have been ramped up at various levels. Pelosi announced Operation Overdrive in June, deploying federal law enforcement resources to aid local and state authorities in dismantling criminal drug networks. Governor Gavin Newsom also recently announced a law enforcement task force to investigate fatal overdoses as homicides.
These steps have given hope to San Francisco officials, including Supervisor Dorsey, who mentioned a united front in the war against fentanyl. With cooperation at the local, state, national, and now international level, it seems progress is being made in addressing this devastating public health crisis.
In conclusion, the meetings between President Biden and the Presidents of China and Mexico have brought attention to the fentanyl crisis in San Francisco. Efforts are being made to disrupt the trafficking of fentanyl and hold those responsible accountable. While the city continues to grapple with devastating overdose numbers, there is hope for a collective effort to combat this crisis.
