Over the past several years, the number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Montana have skyrocketed, as even that far away state is being inundated with the effects of cartel influence. According to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, the U.S.-Mexico border needs to be secured.
"Drug cartels are trafficking fentanyl across the southern border and into Montana, devastating our communities," said Gov. Gianforte. "The Biden administration must secure the border -- now."
According to a news segment by NewNation, drugs such as fentanyl are trafficked across the border into southern California and then transported to Butte, Montana. It is believed that from their base in Butte, local drug dealers bring the drugs to Montana towns such as Missoula, Helena, Great Falls, Bozeman, Billings, and Wolf Point. These drugs are impacting basically every community in Montana.
The impact of fentanyl in Montana is evident in the alarming statistics. According to a report by KFYRTV, fentanyl seizures in Montana have grown 1100% since 2019. In 2022, task force agents seized 206,955 dosage units of fentanyl. Tragically, the number of fentanyl deaths has also increased, going from four fentanyl overdose deaths in 2017 to 74 in 2021, and it is believed the actual number could be higher.
This situation shows no signs of improvement. According to KTVH, the number of fentanyl seizures in Montana so far this year has already surpassed last year's total. Through June 30, task forces have seized more than 286,000 doses of fentanyl. The number of overdose deaths is on pace to surpass 2022's total as well. In response to the crisis, Montana lawmakers have approved a number of laws during the 2023 legislative session to provide additional resources to fight fentanyl and other illegal drugs.
The fentanyl crisis in Montana is part of a larger national issue. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there were 109,680 overdose deaths in the United States in 2022.
Main suppliers of illegal fentanyl in the United States are the Sinaloa and Jalisco drug cartels, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Defeating these cartels is a "top operational priority."
The amount of fentanyl seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border has increased dramatically in recent years. According to The Wilson Center, seizures have increased 164% from 2020 to 2022.
Gov. Gianforte's call to secure the U.S.-Mexico border is a reflection of the urgent need to address the fentanyl crisis in Montana and across the nation.
