Center for Freedom and Prosperity
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 24, 2018
202-285-0244
www.freedomandprosperity.org
The Center for Freedom and Prosperity Announces Creation of “Taxpayers Against Illicit Opioids”
Illicit opioid overdose deaths are sky-rocketing and the growing epidemic is draining government funds. A new group has been created to provide a voice to those who are tired of carrying this financial burden.
(Washington, D.C., Thursday, May 24, 2018) Today, the Center for Freedom and Prosperity formally announces the creation of their new coalition – “Taxpayers Against Illicit Opioids.” In October 2017, President Trump declared the opioid crisis in America a “national health emergency.” A driving force behind this evolving epidemic are the illegal, dangerous synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, which are smuggled into the United States from both Mexican drug cartels and Chinese drug smugglers.
While prescription opioid deaths have seen a significant decline, fentanyl overdose deaths have seen a spike of 540% since 2013. To combat the severity of American opioid overdoses, local, state and federal budgets are dwindling. The reality is law enforcement are being outspent and outmanned by these sophisticated, billion-dollar criminal enterprises.
The cost of the crisis is estimated to have already exceeded a whopping $1 trillion – with a predicted additional $500 billion needed by 2020. As noted in the group’s mission statement, Taxpayers Against Illicit Opioids look to fight back against the illegal drugs entering the United States in order to preserve essential local, state and federal resources.
“The crackdown on prescription drugs has led to a subsequent rise in illegal opioid alternatives,” said Center for Freedom and Prosperity founder Andrew Quinlan. “The proliferation of illicit opioids smuggled from Mexico and China and their misuse is costing taxpayers, big time. It’s clear that lawmakers need a new approach to salvage American dollars and American lives.”
To learn more about the devastating effects of illicit opioids and how you can help, visit the Taxpayers Against Illicit Opioids website.
About the Center for Freedom and Prosperity
The Center for Freedom and Prosperity (CF&P) is a non-profit organization created to advance market liberalization. The CF&P Foundation and CF&P seek to promote economic prosperity by advocating competitive markets and limited government. The organization accomplishes its goals by educating the American people and its elected representatives.
For more information, visit http://freedomandprosperity.org/.
