VIDEO: Rep. Angie Craig Highlights Shakopee Police Department During Congressional Hearing on Fentanyl Crisis
Rep. Craig pushed for additional law enforcement resources to help address fentanyl-related challenges
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing, Rep. Craig highlighted the Shakopee Police Department’s work to address the fentanyl crisis and pushed for increased resources to stop the flow of illegal fentanyl into the United States.
In her remarks, Rep. Craig detailed her experience joining Shakopee Police Officer Yesenia Soto for a ride-along last fall. During their ride-along, Officer Soto was dispatched to the scene of an overdose – which she and her fellow officers were able to successfully reverse.
“Our first call of the night led us to the scene of a public drug overdose, where I watched Officer Soto and two of her colleagues literally bring a young man back to life from the bathroom floor of a family restaurant,” said Rep. Craig during the hearing. “I know that’s just another night in their line of work that they’re in, but addiction, mental health and other challenges have stretched them thin. We in Congress owe them both the utmost respect and conviction to address and fight this issue – or we face the possibility of losing countless more lives to this opioid crisis.”
WATCH: Rep. Craig Highlights Shakopee Police Department, Pushes for Additional Funding to Combat Fentanyl Crisis During Committee Hearing
Rep. Craig shared her story as part of her continued push to secure additional resources for law enforcement as they combat the unique challenges posed by the fentanyl crisis. Rep. Craig cosponsored the bipartisan Save Americans from the Fentanyl Emergency Act, a bill which would reclassify all fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug to ensure law enforcement can continue to prosecute the sale and use of these substances.
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