Trump's opioid plan reportedly calls for executing certain drug dealers
President Trump has been saying privately and, increasingly, in public speeches that he wants capital punishment for drug dealers, and that idea has made it into the latest draft of his plan to fight America's opioid crisis, Politico reports. The wide-ranging plan, which could be announced as soon as Monday, combines drug treatment and prevention options with ramped-up law enforcement measures, including the death penalty in "certain cases where opioid, including fentanyl-related, drug dealing and trafficking are directly responsible for death." It also envisions a new Justice Department task force to monitor internet sales of opioids and crack down on negligent doctors and pharmacies.
The plan, as currently written, gives first responders increased access to the anti-overdose drug naloxone, asks Congress to allow Medicaid to pay for in-treatment addiction care, and urges states to use a national drug prescription database, among other things. The proposals cost much more than Trump has budgeted and Congress would likely approve, Politico says, and the plan promises to cut opioid prescriptions by a third within three years and fulfill Trump's promise to "stop opioid abuse."
The part about executing drug dealers is, to say the least, controversial. Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) endorsed the idea Thursday afternoon. "I'm all in on the capital punishment side for those offenses that would warrant that," he told Politico. "Including drug cases. Yep." Democrats and public health advocates dismissed the proposal and disagreed with the wisdom and efficacy of declaring a new "war on drugs," and several Republicans were skeptical, too. "I mean, I get the message he's delivering: We've got to treat it seriously," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), but she doesn't support capital punishment for drug cases. "I don't see that that's going to solve the problem."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The teenage 'maths prodigy' who turned out to be a cheat
Under The Radar Jiang Ping defied expectations in a global competition but something wasn't right
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Puppet shows, pagodas and pho: a guide to Hanoi
The Week Recommends Vietnam's capital city blends the ancient with the new
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'There are benefits, but not acknowledging them would tell only half of the story'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Haiti council fires prime minister, boosting chaos
Speed Read Prime Minister Garry Conille was replaced with Alix Didier Fils-Aimé
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump tells next Senate GOP leader to skip confirmations
Speed Read The president-elect said the next Senate majority leader must allow him to make recess appointments
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Fed cuts rates, chair says he won't quit if Trump asks
Speed Read Jerome Powell was noncommittal on future rate cuts that were expected before Trump won the election
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Judge revives plea deal for 9/11 suspects
Speed Read A military judge has ruled to restore the plea deals struck by 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two co-conspirators
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Harris concedes as world prepares for Trump's return
Speed Read Vice President Kamala Harris told supporters it was important to 'accept the results of this election'
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Abortion rights measures go 7 for 10
Speed Read Constitutional amendments to protect abortion passed in seven states but failed in three others: Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Netanyahu fires defense minister, sparking protests
Speed Read Yoav Gallant and Netanyahu have clashed for years. The Israeli prime minister first tried to fire the defense minister in 2023, but backed off following a public outcry.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump wins, GOP flips Senate, House a tossup
Speed Read The Republican candidate flipped back the swing states he lost to President Joe Biden in 2020
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published