Sen. Schumer advocates for bill to fight black market fentanyl importation

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., advocated for a bill to equip the Department of Homeland Security with chemical scanning devices to detect black market fentanyl before it enters the U.S., according to wynt.com.

Mr. Schumer's comments were made during an address Tuesday to the Schenectady County (N.Y.) Legislative Chambers. According to the senator, the bill has bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate and expects it will leave the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.

Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and is largely manufactured in China. The synthetic opioid is often processed and packaged in Mexico prior to being smuggled into the U.S. by drug cartels. Additionally, large quantities of the drug are purchased online via the "dark internet" where illegal materials are sold via websites and shipped through the U.S. Postal Service.

More articles on opioids: 
Florida governor and attorney general back legislation to curb opioid abuse 
Study: Prolonged opioid use is the most common postsurgical complication 
Study: Medicaid enrollees have limited access to opioid treatment programs


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