By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Last week, the Governor’s office reported that the California National Guard’s (Cal Guard) Counterdrug Task Force has seized more than 9.5 million pills containing fentanyl and 5,000 pounds of fentanyl powder at ports of entry across the state since January of this year.

The seizures are estimated to have a street value of $43 million.

Gov. Gavin Newsom reinforced the deployment of Cal Guard service members from 155 to 400 at state ports of entry. State data showed that fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the country by U.S. citizens through the various ports of entry. The state has plans to spend $60 million over four years to expand the work of the Cal Guard in preventing drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations.

“Each month, the California National Guard continues the life-saving work of supporting local, state, and federal agencies in keeping dangerous and illicit drugs out of our communities. I thank Cal Guard for making our neighborhoods safer,” said Newsom.

The State government has implemented a statewide action plan to end the fentanyl and opioid crises. Last year, Newsom launched a Master Plan for Tackling the Fentanyl and Opioid Crisis, a framework that outlines State plans to support overdose prevention initiatives, hold the opioid pharmaceutical industry accountable, tackle drug trafficking, and raise awareness about the dangers of opioids and fentanyl.

In August, the State launched the Facts Fight Fentanyl campaign, a California Department of Public Health initiative that educates people about the dangers of fentanyl and ways to prevent overdoses and deaths. People seeking resources for prevention and treatment can access state-funded tools and services provided online, to support and empower people on the road to recovery.

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