A Resolution Supporting Increased Federal Funding for Cities to Combat the Fentanyl Crisis
Adopted at the 92nd Annual Meeting in 2024
WHEREAS, fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, and can be highly addictive and deadly; and
WHEREAS, fentanyl has become a leading cause of death in the United States, with over 112,000 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2023; and
WHEREAS, fentanyl and similar drugs have accounted for the vast majority of overdose deaths in recent years; and
WHEREAS, the rate of fentanyl overdose deaths has increased significantly over the past several decades, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and intervention efforts; and
WHEREAS, cities are increasingly becoming the frontline of the fentanyl crisis, even though more federal resources flow to states and counties; and
WHEREAS, cities have proven the ability to respond to public health emergencies in a fast, flexible, efficient, and innovative matter, including during the Covid-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the fentanyl crisis affects both large and small cities, cutting across socioeconomic, demographic, political, and geological differences; and
WHEREAS, drug overdose data reveal troubling trends and widening disparities between different population groups, with communities of color experiencing unprecedented increases in overdose deaths; and
WHEREAS, tackling the fentanyl crisis requires a holistic approach, recognizing that it is both a public health and public safety emergency; and
WHEREAS, Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration has described synthetic opioids such as fentanyl as presenting a “national security, public safety, and public health threat”; and
WHEREAS, federal funding specifically for cities is critical to address this crisis effectively, recognizing that local governments face the brunt of this crisis and need adequate resources to save lives and protect their communities; and
WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) is a U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance grant program that provides funding to cities, counties, and states to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls upon Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration to prioritize funding specifically for local law enforcement, fire and EMS departments, and first and alternative responders, including but not limited to comprehensive case management, treatment and recovery services, harm reduction services, community education, data collection, and research and evaluation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration to increase funding for the COSSUP program and other key programs to address the fentanyl crisis.