DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 31

URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE STRONG, PROACTIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT DRUGS FROM ENTERING THE UNITED STATES AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND OTHER PORTS OF ENTRY.

WHEREAS, drug overdose deaths in the United States have risen steadily since 1999; and

WHEREAS, drug-overdose deaths in the United States in 2015 totaled 52,404; and

WHEREAS, drug-overdose deaths in the United States in 2019 totaled 70,630; and

WHEREAS, 91,799 overdose deaths occurred in 2020 in the United States; and

WHEREAS, more than 100,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States between April 2020 and April 2021; and

WHEREAS, a record 447 Delawareans died from a drug overdose in 2020; and

WHEREAS, more than 80% of the overdose deaths in Delaware in 2020 were caused by fentanyl; and

WHEREAS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at eight South Texas ports of entry seized 1,066% more fentanyl in Fiscal Year 2021 than in Fiscal Year 2020; and

WHEREAS, over 10,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the southern border in fiscal year 2021; and

WHEREAS, a higher number of illegal migrants were arrested at the Southwest border in fiscal year 2021 than in any prior; and

WHEREAS, drug traffickers often disguise themselves as families or other migrants in need.

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 151 ^st General Assembly of the State of Delaware that the Senate strongly urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to strengthen security at the southern border.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate urges the Federal Government to take strong, proactive measures to prevent drugs from entering the United States at the southern border and other ports of entry.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution urges the federal government to take steps to strengthen the southern border and take proactive measures to prevent drugs from entering the United States.

Author: Senator Hocker