Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman: Senators Murkowski, Schatz lead Oversight Hearing on Federal Resources to address Fentanyl in Native communities
Second Hearing Senator Lisa Murkowski, along with Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i led an oversight hearing titled, “Fentanyl in Native Communities: Federal Perspectives on Addressing the Growing Crisis,” a continuation of the Committee’s oversight work on fentanyl.
“Our hearing last month was important – not just for our work in this Committee and Congress, but also for the Executive Branch – to better understand the situation on the ground and inform our next steps. That’s why today’s hearing with our federal panel is an important follow-up,” said Senator Schatz, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs of the second hearing in the series of hearing on fentanyl and its impacts in Native communities.
“The United States must live up to its trust and treaty responsibilities to promote the health and wellbeing of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, and that responsibility must include responding to modern threats, including illicit fentanyl.”
Senator Murkowski, serving as Vice Chair for the committee said that federal witnesses helped outline the challenges they face working to address the devastating impacts and challenges they face working to address the health and public safety affecting Native people.
“Drug traffickers are targeting Native communities because so many of these communities are more rural, isolated, with less law enforcement presence, and traffickers can charge more for their products. Congress must provide better support for federal agencies, law enforcement at all levels, and Native communities to end this crisis.”
By: Katie Stavick
Source: Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman
