Moderator: Richard W. Sanders, MSCJ, Commissioner, Kentucky State Police, and Member, Operation UNITE Board of Directors

CE Certified By: AMA,AAFP,ACPE,ADA,ANCC,APA,CHES,GA Bar,GA POST,NAADAC,NASW,NBCC

The increase in opioid-related deaths in the United States in the last three years has largely been driven by the rapid proliferation of illicit synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and various fentanyl analogs. This session features two presentations about the federal government’s response, particularly at the nation’s borders.

The first presenter will provide the big picture. The federal government is pursuing a broad range of public health interventions to track and mitigate this crisis. In addition, the federal government is engaging in multilateral and bilateral international engagements in the pursuit of controlling the production and flow of synthetic opioids. This presentation will briefly describe the latest epidemiology and trends, the economic drivers of illicit fentanyl, international control efforts, and the federal public health response.

The next presenter will address that the majority of illegal opioids consumed in the United Stated are smuggled into the country via the southwest border or come in through mail or express consignment hubs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the federal agency responsible for securing the border and protecting the public from dangerous people and materials. The opioid epidemic is a threat to the American people; as such, CBP is fully engaged in stemming the flow of illicit drugs into the county. The presenter will explain that CBP’s efforts to combat this crisis has three main components: international engagement with the countries from which these drugs originate and with other countries experiencing this epidemic; counter network operations using sound data and tracking; and border interdiction driven by intelligence and enhanced technology. Essential to the fight against opioids is also the responsibility to keep CBP officers and agents safe through training and equipment.

UPON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Describe current epidemiological trends related to synthetic opioids.
- Discuss the economics of illicit fentanyl.
- Outline international control efforts.
- Identify federal public health strategies to address this growing threat.
- Explain the critical role of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in combating illegal opioid smuggling.
- Identify the major elements of CBP strategy to combat the flow of illicit drugs.
- Discuss how can state and local partners and CBP work together to stem the opioid crisis.