Press Releases

Border Package Will Combat Drug Trafficking & Opioid Epidemic in Upstate NY

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) today voted to pass the Secure the Border Act of 2023 to combat drug trafficking and the opioid epidemic in Upstate New York. Rep. Molinaro’s support of this bill comes as communities in Upstate New York experience a surge in opioid-related deaths. In just the first four months of 2023, Broome County recorded 17 opioid overdose deaths and 120 non-fatal overdoses.

The Secure the Border Act of 2023 will combat the opioid epidemic by strengthening efforts to curb the spike in fentanyl and drug trafficking along the border. It forces the Biden Administration to restart construction of the border wall, deploy innovative technology to the southern and northern borders, and increase the number of border patrol agents. The bill also makes fair and compassionate reforms to the immigration system by strengthening protections for unaccompanied children, ending catch and release policies, streamlining the asylum process, and keeping families together.

Rep. Molinaro said, “Deadly drugs like fentanyl are pouring across our borders and into Upstate New York communities – fueling the local opioid epidemic. In Broome County alone, we have already seen 17 overdose deaths and 120 non-fatal overdoes in the first four months of the year. I’m taking action to stop deadly drugs from making it to our communities by implementing commonsense and compassionate border security policies. Substance use disorders don’t discriminate – they impact Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. To save lives, we need to put the partisan rhetoric aside and deliver a bipartisan solution.”