Ohio gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci pledged to take action on the drug crisis that has ravaged Ohio and other states throughout the country.
According to Renacci, incumbent Governor Mike DeWine has not taken proper action to limit the spread.
“As long as our southern border remains wide open to crime, human trafficking, and drugs, Ohio will always be fighting the drug crisis with one hand tied behind its back. Without President Trump in the White House, now more than ever we need Republican governors to step up and use the executive branch to tackle illegal immigration head-on, which DeWine is unwilling to do. Governors like Ron DeSantis or Greg Abbott are leading the way, while Ohio is stuck with amnesty-voting RINO Mike DeWine. I pledge as governor to use every tool at my office’s disposal and work with the state legislature to DEFUND sanctuary cities and make Ohio a zero-tolerance state for illegal immigration,” Renacci said in an emailed statement.
As highlighted by Renacci, a record number of individuals crossed the border illegally in 2021 and drug busts were elevated. Law enforcement officials at the border arrested roughly 1.9 million people, a historic number in President Joe Biden’s first year. Furthermore, those numbers only reflect the number of individuals that border officials encountered and not illegal crossings that evaded law enforcement.
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that more than 11,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized last fiscal year — the highest number in recent years. According to the nonprofit Families Against Fentanyl, the drug is the number one killer of individuals ages 18 to 45, outpacing COVID-19, suicide, and car accidents. The narcotic is highly lethal, as just two milligrams can be fatal, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
In Ohio, thirteen individuals were arrested on Thursday for their connection to a drug distribution scheme that focused on the Akron area.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
