Lafayette Reporter

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) recently appeared on Fox News and authored an op-ed discussing the impact of drug decriminalization policies in various cities and states. Kennedy emphasized the need for Congress to adopt more stringent drug policies, including his proposed Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act.

Kennedy stated, “Unless you get your news from NPR, you already knew that allowing people to buy fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin without consequences would end in pain and chaos for both drug users and their communities. Woke cities and states throughout the country are now scrambling to reinstall policies to restore law and order by deterring drug use.”

He continued by explaining that these policy reversals are becoming increasingly common across the nation. Cities such as Washington D.C., Washington state, and Boston have started enforcing drug laws after years of lenient policies resulted in widespread suffering among residents.

“Addiction is horrible. But policymakers cannot allow their empathy for Americans with addiction to blind them to the dangerous reality of drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine," said Kennedy. He noted that drug overdoses led to an estimated 112,000 deaths in 2023—over twice as many fatalities as car accidents.

Kennedy further expressed his confusion over why some individuals continue to support ineffective crime strategies previously used by San Francisco and Oregon. His proposed Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act aims not at punishing those suffering from addiction but at penalizing dealers who cause havoc within families.

He concluded his remarks by stating, “Overdose deaths don’t make cities more livable. Open-air drug use doesn’t make communities safer or cleaner. Fair, clear penalties help stop people from hurting themselves and their neighbors. I hope more woke cities and states admit this and correct their dangerous policies before more Americans fall victim to drugs and stupidity.”