Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced last week a measure designed to protect Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees from accidental exposure to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
The Synthetic Opioid Exposure Prevention and Training Act of 2020 would require CBP to issue safety protocols for handling synthetic opioids, provide training to officers who come in contact with the drugs in the line of duty, and provide protective equipment to officers who may be exposed.
Peters, ranking member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said last year CBP employees in the Detroit field office seized more than 10 pounds of fentanyl, which he said could contain as many as 1.5 million lethal doses.
“A lethal dose of fentanyl is about the same size as just a few grains of salt, so it’s absolutely vital that our nation’s border security professionals have the training, equipment, and resources they need to safely search for, handle and dispose of this deadly substance.”
Capito said CBP officers play a vital role in efforts to combat the opioid epidemic by detecting and stopping the flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
“It is essential they are protected from exposure to these dangerous chemicals,” she said. “I’m proud to join Sen. Peters in introducing the Synthetic Opioid Exposure Prevention and Training Act, which would require CBP to put in place specific protocols, procedures, and training for the safe handling of these deadly substances. I look forward to working with CBP on their continued efforts to ensure the safety of their workforce as they strive to keep us safe.”