Missouri Governor Mike Parson declared this week that the state is sending as many as 200 National Guard soldiers and 22 state highway patrol troopers to aid in securing sections of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas.
On February 20th, the Republican governor issued a statement, expressing that he observed “a crisis” directly contributing to America’s drug problem.
“About two weeks ago, I visited the Southern Border, and let me not mince words when I say it is a crisis,” Parson said.
“The Biden administration’s border policies have fueled the fentanyl crisis in Missouri,” he added.
“Missourians are dying; families are being ripped apart; communities are being destroyed, and Missouri children are falling victim. It all stems from the Biden Administration’s reckless, irresponsible, and failing open-border policies. With our Southern Border wide open, every state is now a border state,” he later added.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that the fentanyl crisis is worsening in Missouri, with data from the agency revealing a significant increase in overdose deaths since 2016.
Statistics indicate that there were over 2,163 overdose fatalities in Missouri in 2021, a rise from 1,366 in 2017. Health authorities state that around 70 percent of these deaths were attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
“President Biden and the federal government must step up to stop illegal entry into our nation, to stop the free flow of fentanyl into our communities, and combat the rise of human trafficking, but we’ve waited long enough. Missouri will act by deploying our own resources to secure our nation’s border,” Parson said.
Furthermore, Mr. Parson has submitted a supplementary budget request of $2.3 million to the state Legislature to “support border security efforts and backfill the Governor’s Office’s emergency response fund.”
According to Governor Parson’s office, the recently deployed troops and law enforcement personnel will have the responsibility of securing the border, deterring illegal immigration, and combating illicit drug and human trafficking.
In addition to carrying out these duties, the 22 Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, all of whom volunteered for Governor Parson’s mission, will also assist in traffic enforcement, crime prevention, criminal interdiction, and provide aid to other law enforcement agencies as required, beginning March 1, according to his office.
The 200 Missouri National Guard soldiers, set to begin their assignments on March 10th, will also aid in the construction of physical barriers and conduct security patrols, according to the statement.
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