Lazy Newspeople and the Opioid Crisis

In the news: From Alaska To Florida, States Respond To Opioid Crisis With Emergency Declarations

Let’s get away from the politician talk-

Heroin crisis: A situation involving illegal product moved from outside the US into local communities. The US Dept. of Homeland Security has jurisdiction at the border, border crossings & ports of entry.

With a budget of $40.6 billion- how is the US Dept. of Homeland Security doing at keeping heroin away from local communities?

Opioid crisis: Term favored by the press & politicians to describe the abuse of product which may be stolen from Grandma’s medicine cabinet- also a very serious issue.

Accurate reporting allows people to learn how to prevent future incidents.

Anytime there is a plane crash- a thorough investigation takes place. Lessons learned are used to prevent future accidents.

Was the aircraft fueled with opioids before it crashed? Was it running on heroin?

Recovery, rehab, treatment, & addiction are important parts of this story.

What part of the story is missing?

Has anyone ever seen the press question the US Dept. of Homeland Security/CBP on their role in keeping heroin away from the Puget Sound area?

The basics:

Strict post 911/War on Terror security protocols, a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security, and verification of passports/enhanced & Real IDs- are unable to keep heroin out of local communities.

Prescription drugs may become more restricted, but cartels will ship more product.

Meth is a good example here. It used to me made with ingredients people could obtain locally. Those ingredients became restricted- now cartels move meth in from Mexico:

As meth arrests dropped in Mobile County, ice moved in

“A July 2015, intelligence report released by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency showed the connection of Mexican Drug Cartels in each U.S. state. The report linked the Sinaloa Cartel, Cartel Jalisico Nueva Generacion-Los Cuinis and the Beltran-Leyva Organization with drug trafficking ties in Mobile and Baldwin Counties.”

Police: meth seizures climb in Springfield

“Police said the Mexican drug cartel is bringing in a purer form of meth which is why officers said people in Springfield are making less meth at home.”

Welcome Home Troops

We’d like to see more from newspeople who are up to asking questions. Get away from posting the press release handed down from whatever agency was involved in the latest big bust.

More than 52 kilograms of cocaine and 45 kilograms of heroin:

Feds Bust Giant Fentanyl, Cocaine, And Heroin Ring In Chicago And Western Suburbs

Federal agents swing into action after more than 52 kilograms of cocaine and 45 kilograms of heroin move past federal agents manning a $40.6 billion US Dept. of Homeland Security- then on into Chicago and western suburbs.

Questions that go unasked:

When additional restrictions are placed on prescription drugs- what will prevent heroin-trafficking cartels from moving more product into local communities?

If drug dogs are effective at the border- how are large quantities of heroin, cocaine & meth moved into US communities?

Have these highly successful drug operations created any shortage of heroin, cocaine or meth anywhere in the US?

Why are local law enforcement agencies rewarded when the US Dept. of Homeland Security fails to keep heroin out of the US?

Seattle media: Heroin busts could finance police construction in Snohomish

Has local homeland security grant money been used effectively?

Whidbey Homeland Security Grant Money- Newspeople Remain Silent

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been able to intercept any inbound heroin?

Has the Island County Homeland Security-funded patrol boat been involved in any arrest or seizure related in any way to the US/Canada border?

Newspeople remain silent.

What role do 1,200-horsepower Border Patrol Interceptor boats play in keeping heroin away from Port Angeles?

2011-

“… their main interaction with the boating public: Boarding boats and checking for ID, getting a “vibe,” as Jeff P. called it, for what’s up.”

2013-

Homeland Security Vote of Confidence:

Heroin among drugs driving up Peninsula home burglaries, law enforcers say

Heroin epidemic gripping Port Angeles

2015-

Port Angeles residents fed up with heroin problem

2017-

“Residents who filled the Port Angeles City Council chambers and lobby Tuesday night said they were fed up with the heroin epidemic in Clallam County and asked what is being done to stop opioid abuse and what they can do to help.”

Have these Port Angeles based Homeland Security patrol boats made any arrest related to the US/Canada border?

Have these boats been used to intercept any inbound heroin?

Newspeople,

Please schedule an interview with the US Dept. of Homeland Security & ask:

Are passports/enhanced/Real IDs effective in keeping heroin out of local communities?

Standard driver’s licenses have not been accepted at the border since 2009.

JFK speaks about the role of the press in a free society-