SACRAMENTO
California’s fentanyl task force seizes over 8.8 million fentanyl pills
Continuing California’s aggressive push to tackle the illicit fentanyl crisis, Gov. Gavin Newsom today announced that the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force seized almost 4,638 pounds of fentanyl powder and more than 8.8 million pills containing fentanyl since January 2024. These seizures are valued at nearly $40 million.
The task force helps local and federal partners take deadly fentanyl off the street, focusing on ports of entry along the southern border.
The task force focuses on gathering information to interdict illegal narcotics trafficking, utilizing air and ground assets to build criminal investigations, and supporting personnel at border ports of entry to stop illicit narcotics trafficking. CalGuard members with the Counter Drug Taskforce are embedded in cross-government initiatives to combat transnational criminal organizations and the trafficking of illegal narcotics – like fentanyl.
In June, Newsom doubled down on the deployment of CalGuard involved in the task force by increasing the number of service members interdicting fentanyl and other drugs at U.S. ports of entry from 155 to nearly 400. Last year, the Governor increased the number of CalGuard service members deployed to interdict drugs at U.S. ports of entry along the border by approximately 50%.
The operations CalGuard supported resulted in the record seizure of 62,224 pounds of fentanyl in 2023 — a 1066% increase since 2021. CalGuard’s coordinated drug interdiction efforts in the state are funded in part by California’s $30 million investment to expand CalGuard’s work to prevent drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations. Fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens through ports of entry. This adds to the Governor’s efforts to address fentanyl within California, including by cracking down on fentanyl in communities across the state, including San Francisco.
Addressing the opioid crisis
California is taking aggressive action to end the fentanyl and opioid crisis. The Governor’s Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis provides a comprehensive framework to deepen the impact of these investments, including aggressive steps to support overdose prevention efforts, hold the opioid pharmaceutical industry accountable, crack down on drug trafficking, and raise awareness about the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl.The state launched opioids.ca.gov, a one-stop tool for Californians seeking resources for prevention and treatment, as well as information on how California is working to hold Big Pharma and drug traffickers accountable in this crisis.
This week, California launched the Facts Fight Fentanyl campaign to educate Californians on the dangers of fentanyl and how to prevent overdoses and deaths. This effort will provide critical information about fentanyl and life-saving tools such as naloxone.
As part of Newsom’s plan for tackling the fentanyl and opioid crisis, over-the-counter CalRx®-branded naloxone is now becoming available across the state. Through the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP), CalRx®-branded over-the-counter (OTC) naloxone HCL nasal spray, 4 mg, will be available for free to eligible organizations through the state or for sale for $24 per twin-pack through Amneal.
In support of President Biden’s bilateral cooperation agreement with China on counternarcotics, the Governor spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping in October about combating the transnational shipping of precursor chemicals used to create fentanyl.
—Submitted
SACRAMENTO
Legislation to create a master plan for healthy, climate-resilient schools heads to Governor’s desk
A bill to create a master plan for climate-resilient schools passed through the California Legislature last night and now awaits Gov. Newsom’s signature. The Climate Resilient Schools Act (SB 1182), authored by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez, would coordinate state-wide action to provide schools with clear information, guidance, and support to adapt and modernize their facilities and operations in alignment with the state’s climate adaptation, decarbonization, and extreme heat goals. The bill will also ensure the state is positioned to utilize new federal funding in the Inflation Reduction Act for clean energy upgrades at schools.
In response, Jonathan Klein, CEO and Co-founder of UndauntedK12, released the following statement:
“Upgrading California’s schools to keep children safe and healthy during heat waves and wildfire smoke is a big job — but it starts with a plan. Today, California schools are one step closer to receiving the guidance they need to ensure learning environments support student well-being, learning, and success amidst today’s extreme heat and weather. This is a major win for children, teachers and staff, and communities alike.
Across the state, especially in working class communities and communities of color, we have thousands of classrooms without modern HVAC systems to keep children healthy and learning during extreme heat or wildfire smoke. During heat waves, California students search for shade on blacktop school yards that are too hot. We can – and must — do better by our students.
We’re grateful to the lawmakers who recognized this legislation’s vital importance. Thank you to the members of both houses who helped pass SB 1182. Now that the bill is on Governor Newsom’s desk, we’re hopeful he will sign this crucial legislation into law.”
—Submitted
