September 8, 2022

Fentanyl Roundtable in Kenosha County

Friend, 

In Kenosha County, there were 48 overdose deaths from illicit fentanyl in 2021. In FY2021, Customs and Border Protection seized 11,201 pounds of fentanyl, more than twice the amount from a year before. These drugs are coming right into our communities. 

Kemisha Sherrell of U.S. Customs and Border Protection speaks on the challenges of controlling the flow of illegal drugs over the border as U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil and Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman look on during a fentanyl roundtable event that Steil hosted Wednesday at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha.

I hosted a roundtable in Kenosha to continue efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. During the roundtable, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Director Kemisha Sherrell spoke to CBP's efforts to combat illicit fentanyl. CBP is continuing to look at how the federal government can stem the flow of fentanyl coming across the border and into our community. There is a multi-faceted approach we must be taking to keep these lethal drugs off our streets. 

We must secure the border, fund law enforcement, and make fentanyl related substances a permanent Schedule I drug. At the federal level I have cosponsored legislation to take each of these steps.

A slide projected on the wall tells the dangerous story: A 2-milligram dose of fentanyl would be lethal to most Americans. Local and federal officials discussed the issue during a fentanyl roundtable that U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil hosted Wednesday at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha.

As we work to prevent this drug from entering the USA, we must continue to raise awareness of the dangers of illicit fentanyl particularly when far too many victims are unaware they are taking it. Just two milligrams is a lethal dose of fentanyl. At each of the roundtables we have planned across Wisconsin I hear the same concerns. The dangers of fentanyl are often being overlooked. We must ensure everyone in Wisconsin is aware that fentanyl is incredibly prevalent in our communities.

I recently wrote an oped on the increase in fentanyl coming into our community which you can read here. 

2022 Health Care Hero Award 

Today, I presented Wisconsin's First District 2022 Health Care Hero Award in Waukesha to Sherry Berg. Sherry’s dedication and commitment to serving others is incredibly prevalent in her work at Waukesha Memorial Hospital and her service to our community.

During the horrific attack at the Waukesha Christmas Parade, Sherry sprung into action and was on one of the first ambulances to the emergency room that night caring for many of the victims. I am honored to recognize and thank Sherry for her efforts and selflessness in serving our community.

Thank you to all of our health care professionals across the district for your commitment to serving others.

On Wisconsin,

Bryan Steil
Member of Congress

Click here to subscribe to my e-newsletter