New Hampshire National Guard Deployed to Texas Border to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

The New Hampshire National Guard is set to deploy 15 volunteers to the Mexican border in Texas as part of an effort to combat the state’s most pressing health crisis – the fentanyl epidemic. This move comes after Republican Governor Chris Sununu named fentanyl as the Granite State’s most significant health issue, with an estimated 400-500 deaths per year due to the deadly drug.

Governor Sununu’s request for the deployment was approved by the New Hampshire legislature on Friday, February 16, 2024. The governor had traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas, earlier in the month, joining a dozen other Republican governors in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s administration. The governors visited the border to show their support for securing the border and controlling illegal crossings.

The Biden administration has been criticized for its handling of the border crisis, with Texas denying access to U.S. Border Patrol agents at a park along the Rio Grande. In response, several states, including Montana and Georgia, have announced their intention to send National Guard members to help Texas control illegal crossings.

The New Hampshire National Guard volunteers will be deployed under the state’s civil emergency law, with Senate President Jeb Bradley stating that the 400 deaths from fentanyl per year since 2015 constitute a civil emergency. The 15 National Guard personnel will be responsible for securing a significant portion of the border, with approximately 113.3 miles each.

Democrats on the legislative committee criticized the move, with Senator Lou D’Allesandro arguing that the effort should be focused on getting Republicans in Congress to fund border security. However, Republicans outnumbered Democrats on the committee, and the deployment was approved.

The New Hampshire National Guard deployment to the Texas border is a significant step in addressing the fentanyl crisis, which has claimed the lives of hundreds of New Hampshire residents over the past decade. The volunteers will work alongside Texas authorities to secure the border and prevent the illegal entry of fentanyl and other drugs into the United States.

The fentanyl epidemic is a pressing issue not only for New Hampshire but for the entire country. The drug is responsible for thousands of deaths each year, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that over 71,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2020, with fentanyl being the primary driver of this tragic statistic.

The New Hampshire National Guard deployment to the Texas border is a testament to the commitment of state governments to protect their citizens from the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs. It is a crucial step in the ongoing effort to secure the border and prevent the illegal entry of drugs into the United States.

In conclusion, the New Hampshire National Guard deployment to the Texas border is a significant development in the fight against the fentanyl epidemic. The volunteers will work alongside Texas authorities to secure the border and prevent the illegal entry of drugs into the United States. This deployment is a testament to the commitment of state governments to protect their citizens from the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs. The ongoing effort to secure the border and prevent the illegal entry of drugs into the United States is a crucial step in addressing this pressing public health issue.

The Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis has been a source of controversy, with several states taking matters into their own hands by deploying National Guard personnel to secure their borders. The New Hampshire National Guard deployment to the Texas border is a significant development in this ongoing saga, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks and months.

The fentanyl epidemic is a pressing issue that requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. The deployment of the New Hampshire National Guard to the Texas border is an important step in addressing this issue, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. Further action is needed at the federal level to address the root causes of the fentanyl crisis and prevent the illegal entry of drugs into the United States.

The New Hampshire National Guard deployment to the Texas border is a significant development in the fight against the fentanyl epidemic. It is a testament to the commitment of state governments to protect their citizens from the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs. The ongoing effort to secure the border and prevent the illegal entry of drugs into the United States is a crucial step in addressing this pressing public health issue. The Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis has been a source of controversy, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks and months. The fentanyl epidemic requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, and further action is needed at the federal level to address the root causes of the crisis and prevent the illegal entry of drugs into the United States.