HAYDEN, Idaho — Idaho Governor Brad Little was in North Idaho on Monday to share information about his deployment of Idaho State Police to the southern border. Governor Little says it will help Idaho combat the current fentanyl crisis.
Governor Little and ISP Colonel Kedrick Wills discussed their experience during a recent visit to the Texas-Mexico border. They will also provide an update on the ISP personnel Governor Little deployed in May to support the State of Texas’ efforts to secure the border and improve Idaho’s ability to interdict illicit drugs to protect Idahoans.
On Monday, Governor Little recapped the actions the State of Idaho is taking to turn the tide in the fentanyl crisis:
- Idaho launched a campaign, Fentanyl Takes All, to help educate and inform Idahoans, especially our youth and their parents, about the dangers of fentanyl. The Governor’s Office is preparing for an announcement soon about the effectiveness of the Governor’s fentanyl awareness campaign
- Added more roadside testing equipment to help ISP get fentanyl off streets quicker
- Adding a new statewide drug interdiction team at ISP to intercept fentanyl coming into our state
- Improving information sharing between law enforcement, first responders, health care, tribes, coroners and others to tackle the problem strategically
- Idaho is increasing resources for mental health and behavioral health to help prevent tragedy
In 2021, Governor Little sent a team of state troopers to Arizona to assist with drug interdiction. He also joined a lawsuit challenging President Biden’s Title 42 border decision.
The Governor’s Office says in 2022, Governor Little launched “Operation Esto Perpetua” which is a new strategy to do more to protect our communities against the growing drug threat. The operation brought together law enforcement and Idahoans to reduce the flow of fentanyl and methamphetamine into the State of Idaho.
In 2023, Governor Little called for the development of a new statewide drug interdiction team at the Idaho State Police and enhanced testing and training.
WATCH RELATED: VERIFY: Yes, fentanyl is the leading cause of death of adults in Washington, Idaho
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