List of Terrorists for Drug Cartels Would Help Fentanyl Fight, RCMP Boss Says
The head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has called for the creation of a list of terrorists for drug cartels, in an effort to combat the growing threat of fentanyl in Canada.
Comdr. Brenda Lucki, the RCMP’s deputy commissioner, made the statement during a press conference in Ottawa, where she emphasized the need for a more effective way to address the rise of fentanyl-related overdoses and deaths in the country.
"Fentanyl is a terrorist," Lucki said. "It’s a killer, it’s a destroyer, and it’s a scourge on our communities. We need to treat it as such. We need to identify those who are perpetuating this crisis and bring them to justice."
The comments come as the death toll from fentanyl overdoses continues to rise, with over 2,500 Canadians losing their lives to the opioid crisis in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Fentanyl is a highly addictive and powerful synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine. It is often cut with other substances, making it difficult to detect and resulting in a significant risk of overdose and death.
Lucki’s comment about creating a list of terrorists for drug cartels builds on the idea that fentanyl is a global threat, fueled by organized crime groups and cartels that prioritize profit over human life.
By labeling fentanyl a terrorist, Lucki hopes to elevate the national security threat that it poses and prompt a more concerted effort from law enforcement agencies, health officials, and governments to combat the crisis.
The proposal has received support from some critics, who believe that treating fentanyl as a terrorist threat could lead to more effective counter-narcotics efforts and increased political will to address the crisis.
"This is a bold move by the RCMP, but it’s a necessary one," said Dr. David Juurlink, an addiction medicine specialist at the University of Ottawa. "Fentanyl is a real threat to public health and safety, and it needs to be treated as such. By labeling it a terrorist threat, we can mobilize the resources and attention needed to take on this crisis head-on."
However, not everyone is convinced that labeling fentanyl as a terrorist is the best approach.
"This is a misguided and irresponsible approach," said Tim MacDonald, a senior policy analyst at the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. "Fentanyl is a public health crisis, not a national security threat. We need to focus on addressing the root causes of addiction, including poverty, stigma, and lack of access to treatment, rather than treating it like a terrorist threat."
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the rise of fentanyl in Canada has become a pressing concern that requires a multifaceted approach, involving law enforcement, health care, and social services.
Forcing governments and stakeholders to take a hard look at the opioid crisis is essential to preventing more lives lost and addressing the devastating effects of fentanyl on communities across the country.
