President Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday to give U.S. Customs and Border Protection new screening devices to identify deadly synthetic opioids smuggled into the country from Canada or Mexico, according to a report from USA Today.
Here are three things to know.
1. The International Narcotics Trafficking Emergency Response by Detecting Incoming Contraband with Technology Act — or INTERDICT Act — allots $9 million in additional funds for Customs and Border Protection to purchase new screening equipment capable of detecting synthetic opioids and other narcotics, according to USA Today.
2. Niki Tsongas, D-Mass., sponsored the legislation, which passed the House in a 412-3 vote last October. The bill received unanimous approval in the Senate.
3. The U.S.'s illicit fentanyl supply largely originates in China, entering the country via Canada or Mexico. The portion of opioid-overdose deaths linked to fentanyl has surged in recent years, increasing by 103 percent between 2015 and 2016.
More articles on opioids:
Trump opioid commission member, public health officials criticize White House response to opioid crisis: 7 things to know
Philly officials propose safe injection site for opioid users: 5 things to know
Federal judge calls for quick resolution to 200+ opioids lawsuits