Chuck Norris Addresses Fentanyl Crisis
By Movieguide® Contributor
Chuck Norris is one of many voices calling for something to be done about the dramatic increase in fentanyl-related deaths over the past few years.
“My wife, Gena, and I were so saddened to hear about more celebrities’ kids’ deaths from the lethal drug that is killing more Americans than any other and is manufactured across the U.S. southern border, fentanyl,” he began, pointing to the deaths of comedian Dana Carvey and PAWN STARS’ Rick Harrison’s sons.
Norris shared stats from the CDC that “reported overdose deaths from synthetic opioids rose 55.6% between January 2020-2021 alone.”
According to the CDC, “Provisional data from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate there were an estimated 107,622 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2021, an increase of nearly 15% from the 93,655 deaths estimated in 2020. The 2021 increase was half of what it was a year ago, when overdose deaths rose 30% from 2019 to 2020.”
While many drugs have caused these deaths, fentanyl is overwhelmingly the leading cause of death in overdoses.
“The rising homicide rate in D.C. is nothing compared with what fentanyl is doing,” the Washington Post reported. “In 2020, opioids claimed more than twice the 198 lives that gunfire did in the nation’s capital. It’s the sixth year that drugs have killed more people than guns. City records show the trend began in 2014 and held steady even as gun violence surged; so, too, did the age of those dying of an overdose.”
Norris explained, “The number of fentanyl fatalities will continue to soar for one reason. As NPR reported, Mexican cartels are increasing their production of fentanyl right now because it’s so easily smuggled into and sold in our country.”
He then encouraged people to contact the White House and their state representatives and “demand they close the U.S. borders and stop the cartels’ powers and illegal contraband of every type coming into our country.”
Norris also addressed parents, telling them how important it is to talk to their children about the dangers of recreational drug use.
Norris isn’t the only high-profile figure calling for our government to do something about the fentanyl crisis. Movieguide® previously reported on country singer Jelly Roll’s recent testimony before the Senate:
Country star Jelly Roll is one of the many voices calling on lawmakers to take action in the fentanyl crisis.
“At every concert I perform, I witness the heartbreaking impact of fentanyl,” the artist said during a Senate hearing about the FEND Off Fentanyl Act. “I see fans grappling with this tragedy in the form of music…that they seek solace in music and hope that their experiences won’t befall others.”
Jelly Roll continued, “These are the people I’m here to speak for, y’all. These people crave reassurance that their elected officials actually care more about human life than they do about ideology and partisanship.”
He then called on the Senate to pass the FEND Off Fentanyl Act, saying, “I stand here as a regular member of society. I am a stupid songwriter, y’all, but I have firsthand witnessed this in a way most people have not. I encourage y’all to not only pass this bill, but I encourage you to bring it up where it matters — at the kitchen table.”
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