Rep. Steil hosts roundtable addressing fight against fentanyl in Wisconsin

Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) recently convened a roundtable in Janesville, Wis., to address the fight against fentanyl.

The effort focused on Rock County and targeted methods the federal government could aid in keeping Wisconsin communities safe.

The session involved leaders from the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, the North Central High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), and local medical experts discussing the rise in illicit fentanyl found in Rock County and how law enforcement is working to keep these dangerous substances off Wisconsin’s streets.

“Communities across Southeast Wisconsin are being devastated by illicit fentanyl,” Steil said. “I will continue working with local, state, and federal partners to prevent this dangerous substance from devastating our communities. I am working to raise awareness of the dangers of illicit fentanyl, particularly when far too many victims are unaware they are taking it.”

In Rock County, there were 47 overdose deaths from illicit fentanyl last year, with 65 percent of overdose deaths stemming from fentanyl-related substances.

In February, Steil led 116 Republicans in forwarding correspondence to President Joe Biden to encourage immediate action to stem fentanyl coming from China and across the southern border while supporting efforts to make fentanyl-related substances Schedule 1 classification permanent.

Additionally, Steil sponsored two amendments advanced by the House of Representatives in combating fentanyl, detailing the transfer of $5 million to combat the illicit importation of opioids, including fentanyl through international mail facilities and land ports-of-entry and a $5 million transfer to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (HIDTA) to combat the increase in overdoses from fentanyl.